After producing the first big upset of the tournament in Group D Costa Rica will face another tough test when they meet Italy on Friday in Recife. Costa Rica recorded a shock 3-1 win over Uruguay in their first World Cup match while Italy prevailed 2-1 over England in Manaus. Chances are whoever wins this match will secure their place in the last sixteen with a game to spare.
Italy are boosted by the return to fitness of veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, the 36-year old Juventus player missed the opening match due to an ankle injury but now he could reclaim his place between the sticks. Full back Mattia De Sciglio is also close to making his return but he might not be able to feature against Costa Rica. The underdogs will most likely field the same eleven that defeated Uruguay, with Arsenal's Joel Campbell spearheading the attack. These two sides have met only once before, in 1994, and Italy won that match 1-0.
The probable starting line-ups:
Italy: Buffon - Chiellini, Barzagli, Paletta, Darmian - De Rossi, Verratti, Pirlo, Marchisio, Candreva - Balotelli
Costa Rica: Navas - Gonzalez, Umana, Duarte, Gamboa - Bolanos, Diaz, Tejeda, Borges - Ruiz - Campbell
My prediction: Italy to win 2-0.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Italy win - 8/15
Draw - 16/5
Costa Rica win - 13/2
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