Netherlands v Costa Rica predictions, betting tips, lineups and free bets (World Cup quarter final - July 5, 2014)

Saturday, 05 July 2014 19:19
Written by David Bet

Netherlands entertain Costa Rica in Salvador in a match that will decide the final place in the last four of World Cup 2014. Find below our complete NETHERLANDS v COSTA RICA betting preview with tips, predictions, best odds, probable line-ups, free bets and no deposit bonuses on the match!

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NETHERLANDS v COSTA RICA BETTING PREVIEW

After easily winning their group, Holland almost suffered a major setback last Sunday at the hands of Mexico. They won 2:1 as Wesley Sneijder scored the equalizer off a corner kick, and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar drilled home the winning goal after Arjen Robben won a contentious penalty kick in stoppage time.

De Jong was forced off just nine minutes into his country's 2-1 last-16 win over Mexico and subsequent scans revealed a groin muscle tear, ruling him out of the remainder of the tournament. So, Daley Blind will move forward into midfield and Martins Indi will return to the back three. Janmaat is expected to return in the starting XI in place of Paul Verhaegh.

Costa Rica managed to finish at the top of their group with three powerful teams such as England, Italy and Uruguay behind them. In the last 16 round, they managed to hold on to a one goal advantage for almost 30 minutes with 10 men, but they conceded a gut-wrenching equalizer in second half stoppage time. They made a heroic resistance until the penalties, where their goalkeeper Navas made the crucial save to seal their passage to the quarterfinal.

Oscar Duarte will miss out having been sent off in the round of 16 clash against Greece. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who has been one of the stars of the tournament, missed training on Wednesday because of a minor shoulder problem, but is expected to start. Defender Miller is doubtful because of a muscle tear in his left foot, so Acosta will start at the back. Elsewhere, coach Jorge Luis Pinto is not expected to make any changes to his side.

Before of the quarter finals, Costa Rica have conceded the joint-fewest amount of goals at these finals with two, along with France, Colombia and Belgium. Holland have scored at least twice in every game with seven different players having contributed to their goals tally. Ten of the 12 Dutch goals have arrived in the second period compared with just two in the first half.

NETHERLANDS v COSTA RICA PROBABLE LINEUPS

Netherlands (5-3-2) – Cillessen – Janmaat – Blind – Vlaar – Wijnaldum – De Vrij – Martins Indi – Fer – Sneijder – Robben – Van Persie

Costa Rica (4-3-3) – Keylor Navas – Y. Tejeda – Giancarlo Gonzalez – Acosta – Michael Umana – Junior Diaz – Gamboa – B. Ruiz – Bolaños – Joel Campbell