Colombia continue their World Cup preparations with a clash against Costa Rica in the early hours of Tuesday.
After a solid third-placed finish in South American qualifying, Los Cafeteros are expected to impress at the tournament, and they could cause problems for Group K top seeds Portugal.
Costa Rica missed a golden opportunity to qualify for this tournament, with CONCACAF's usual big three not participating in the qualifying campaign.
However, they failed to finish in the top two in their group, forcing a reset as attention turns to 2030.
Colombia v Costa Rica Tips Summary
Best Bet - Colombia -2 @ 5/4
Alternative Bet - Colombia to win both halves @ 11/10
Bet Builder - Colombia to win to nil, Most Goals in 1st Half, Over 5 corners @ 9/2
Colombia v Costa Rica Prediction
Best Bet - Colombia -2 @ 5/4
Costa Rica saw three players removed from the camp ahead of their June fixtures, following the exclusion of some of their most experienced players from this squad.
With an eye on the next World Cup qualifying cycle, new head coach Fernando Batista has named a more inexperienced party.
Only five of the players selected have 20 caps or more, and among those are two 21-year-old forwards.
With off-field issues impacting Costa Rica's preparations, Colombia have been installed as the heavy favourites for this clash.
The South American side gave a good account of themselves in defeats to Croatia and France in the USA earlier this year, and they face an easier task in Bogota.
Colombia closed 2025 with a 3-0 win over Australia, while they beat Mexico, Venezuela, and Bolivia by three or more goals last autumn.
Costa Rica's last outing was a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Iran in March, and they've failed to score in four of their last six internationals.
Expect Colombia to run away with this contest, and they can clear a -2 handicap again in a routine victory.
Alternative Bet - Colombia to win both halves @ 11/10
International friendlies do have a habit of changing radically once the matches turn into a parade of substitutions.
However, Costa Rica's young squad could really struggle as this one progresses, while they'll face proven fringe players desperate to feature at the World Cup.
Heavy favourites Colombia should be able to get in front early on, especially given that Costa Rica were 4-0 down to Iran by half-time in their most recent friendly match.
However, the late changes also massively favour the hosts, so back Colombia to win both halves.
Colombia v Costa Rica Bet Builder Tip
Colombia to win to nil
Most Goals in 1st Half
Over 5 corners
Pays 9/2
With Costa Rica failing to score in three of their last four outings, Colombia's defence should hold firm in this clash. They kept three clean sheets in their final four games last year, before facing elite opposition in March.
Backing the first-half to outscore the second is a solid strategy in friendly matches, and Costa Rica's recent dire start against Iran only adds to that thinking ahead of this clash.
Colombia's friendly matches with France and Croatia saw them record at least six corners in each game.
That number will be expected to increase given their status as heavy favourites heading into this contest, so over five corners is the final selection in this treble.
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Key Match Stats
Colombia picked up four wins by 3+ goals last autumn
Costa Rica were beaten 5-0 by Iran in their last game
The visitors have named an inexperienced squad, with only five players who have been capped 20 times
Costa Rica have failed to score in four of their last six games
The Central American side fell short in qualifying for this summer's World Cup, finishing behind Haiti and Honduras
Colombia recorded at least six corners in March's friendly clashes with France and Croatia
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
