Costa Rica’s Downfall Continues
Costa Rica managed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup but they’ve suffered a steep decline since then. They’ve lost their last three competitive matches and are in danger of missing out on a rare opportunity to participate in Copa America. On Saturday, Costa Rica take on fellow Central American side Honduras in the CONCACAF Nations League Play-off, which serves as a qualifier for Copa America. With a spot in Group D on the line, we’ll analyze the Costa Rica vs Honduras odds.
Costa Rica vs Honduras
Date, time: Saturday, March 23rd, 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX, USA
Costa Rica vs Honduras Head-to-Head
This is the first chance to bet on the Costa Rica vs Honduras odds since a 2021 World Cup qualifier. That match finished scoreless, and three of the last five meetings between these teams have culminated in 90-minute draws. That includes a Third Place Play-off meeting on the CONCACAF Nations League schedule in 2021, when Honduras won bronze after a penalty kick shootout. Costa Rica are unbeaten in their last eight 90 minute matches vs. Honduras, though.
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Costa Rica Going Through Transition Phase
This is the second straight time Costa Rica have failed to qualify for the CONCACAF Nations League finals. Both times, Panama beat Costa Rica to the punch. Los Ticos finished in second place in their group in the 2022-23 Nations League to miss out on the Semis. This time, Costa Rica, who received a bye to avoid the group stage, took on Panama in the Nations League Quarter-Final. In Gustavo Alfaro’s first match as head coach, Costa Rica suffered their biggest-ever loss to Panama.
Costa Rica fell 3-0 in the first leg, which was on home soil. Los Ticos also lost 3-1 in the second leg, falling 6-1 on aggregate and losing to Panama for a fifth straight match. Costa Rica’s golden generation has undoubtedly passed. Midfielder Bryan Ruiz retired in 2022, and all-time appearance leader Celso Borges hasn’t played since the 2023 Gold Cup. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas and forward Joel Campbell are still around, but their days are numbered.
Some talented young players are coming through the ranks, though, even if it may be a painful transition period. All of the forwards, apart from Campbell, Alfaro called up are under 25 years old. Anthony Contreras (24), Manfred Ugalde (21), and Kenneth Vargas (21) all play in Europe and could be key players for Los Ticos in the coming years. Midfielders Brandon Aguilera and Josimar Alcocer are both under 21 as well. With the youth leading the way, Costa Rica have only won four of their last 14 internationals.
Honduras Nearly Take Down Mexico
Honduras gave Mexico a run for their money in the CONCACAF Nations League Quarter-Final. Los Catrachos managed a surprise 2-0 victory over Mexico in the first leg as Anthony Lozano and Bryan Rochez got on the scoresheet. At the Estadio Azteca, Honduras were minutes away from advancing to the Semis in the CONCACAF Nations League bracket. Mexico were up 1-0 and down 2-1 on aggregate deep into stoppage time.
Edson Alvarez equalized in the 101st minute for Mexico, sending the match into extra time. Honduras put up quite the fight but fell in penalties. Now, Honduras have an opportunity to participate in Copa America if they’re able to defeat Costa Rica. While Costa Rica have made five previous appearances at the Copa America, Honduras have only appeared once, in 2001.
Defender Denil Maldonado is suspended for this one, while veterans Bryan Acosta and Alberth Elis are not in the squad. Honduras have kept clean sheets in four of their last five competitive matches. However, they did fall 2-0 to Iceland in a friendly in January. Notably, Honduras have only scored more than one goal in one of their last 13 games vs. Costa Rica.
Costa Rica vs Honduras Match Analysis & Odds
The winner will advance to this Summer’s Copa America in Group D, where they’ll take on Brazil, Colombia, and Paraguay. This would be valuable experience for a young Costa Rica squad, and it’s an incredibly rare opportunity for Honduras. Bettors should note that the last 15 matches between these teams have finished in a draw or with a one-goal margin of victory.
This could be another close one and the Costa Rica vs Honduras odds price Costa Rica pk, -0.5 at -105 and Honduras pk, +0.5 at -120. The last time these teams met in a CONCACAF Nations League match it finished level and a draw is priced at +210 odds.
Costa Rica are +125 moneyline favorites, which corresponds to a 44.4 percent chance of victory. Meanwhile, Honduras are +230 underdogs and wins vs. Costa Rica have been rare for them. Still, the gap between the two teams is probably the smallest it has been in the last decade. Here, under 2, 2.5 goals come in at -130 odds but Costa Rica have been conceding quite a lot lately.
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Publish date : 2024-03-21 03:00:00
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