Costa Rica vs Martinique Prediction: Only the strongest will advance to the quarter-finals

Prediction for the match between Costa Rica and Martinique, which will take place on July 5. Check the team conditions and choose several betting options.

Costa Rica

The Costa Ricans are one of the most successful teams in the CONCACAF in the 21st century. The national team has taken part in five of the last six finals of the World Cup, and in the Gold Cup, they have qualified from the group stage in 12 previous championships (from 2000 to 2021).

Despite its solid status, Costa Rica's 2023 tournament has not succeeded. After losing 1:2 to Panama in the first leg, Colombian Luis Fernando Suárez's side failed to score against El Salvador, 0:0. With one point from two rounds; the Costa Ricans are on the verge of relegation from the tournament. Although a win over Martinique in the upcoming game will almost ironically place Costa Rica in the quarter-finals.

Martinique

If Costa Rica is a regular competitor in the CONCACAF playoffs, Martinique has only once qualified from the Gold Cup - at the 2002 tournament. Of course, Martinique has not attended the World Cup as they are not FIFA members.

After two rounds of the 2023 Gold Cup, experienced coach Marc Coll's side has three points. Martinique beat El Salvador 2:1 in the first round, scoring two goals in the 11th to 16th minutes. They lost 1:2 to Panama in the second leg but can now settle for a draw to reach the quarter-finals against Costa Rica.

Expert Betting Tips

The Costa Ricans are the clear favorite in the upcoming match. The reasons for this appear to be both the statistics of their head-to-head encounters and the difference in the status of their opponents. But in reality, it's not so obvious at the moment. Martinique looks no worse than Costa Rica in this tournament, and in the previous head-to-head game in March this year, leading 1:0, they played the entire second half in the penalty box and conceded twice only at the end of the match. So, in the most important match of Group C, we expect a fair game and not the greatest number of goals scored - Costa Rica has big problems in attack throughout 2023. In addition, we believe that Martinique has a chance to clinch a draw here, which will very likely allow the team to reach the playoffs.