England vs Costa Rica Preview, Team News and Prediction

It will be a contest with no importance when the Costa Ricans meet england in their final group match. English side after loosing two consecutive matches will look to salvage some pride by winning this one. The Costa Ricans will look to march on their good run with a win and collect 9 points to top the group.

Costa Rica

It has been a fairytale ride for the Costa Ricans in the world cup so far. Nobody had given them any chance to qualify forward from the group of death, not only have they qualified but they have a great chance to top the group.

Coach Pinto has been the reason for this teams aggressive gameplay. He had stated that his team will not be bullied by any team but they will bully the others and his team has proved his words right.

The Costa Ricans have a upper hand in this game.The defence led by Duarte, Gonzalez, Umana and Diaz has been exceptional. They have conceded only one goal in the tournament so far.

Their midfield led by Bryan Ruiz has been in tremendous form. The two youngsters Bolanos and Tejeda have been excellent from the flank side. Bryan Ruiz proved to be a leader who likes to lead from the front with his winning strike against England in their 2nd game.

The Costa Rican forward line comprising of only one striker Campbell has proved to be right decision so far. Campbell managed to rattle through the Italian defence at least 4-5 times but he finishing was not up to the mark. He will have the opportunity to go out and play fearlessly in this game which is more like a practicing match for them now.

Key Player:

Bryan Ruiz will be the crucial layer for them in this encounter, Th Ricans will look to change their formation in this game just to have all areas covered as they go into the knock out rounds. They are expected to play with aggression to demolish the low spirited English team.

England

After their humiliating defeats against Italians and Uruguayans. England will have the last opportunity to salvage some pride by winning this encounter. The English team will go into this match with several new faces who did not have the opportunity to participate in the competition.

English attack looked toothless. against uruguayans they had at least 3-4 great chances to score but they were just too rusty to take those opportunities. In the dying moments of the match instead of looking to defend England were guilty of over attacking which coupled with the shocking mistake by captain Steven Gerrard was the reason for the 2nd goal and their exit as well.

The English stars who were magnificent in the club circuit this year were just not able to raise their game in the grand stage of all. The likes of Sturridge, Welbeck, Rooney and Gerrard looked unimpressive throughout the tournament. and it is 1st time since 1954 that an English team is exiting out of the competition in the first round.

English coach Roy Hodgson will have many things to contemplate about after this match. He will look to end his tournament with a win. This will be the last match of their captain Steven Gerrard, which also marks the end of an era.

Key Player:

Though this match is of no importance, England will look one of their young talents to get in the central stage and show his ability. Daniel Sturridge who had a quiet world cup till now will be the player that England will want to perform well in this encounter.

Predicted score

In a dead rubber game both teams are expected to go with full aggression as both have nothing to loose. The game is expected to draw in a 3-3 result.