Spain vs. Costa Rica Predictions, Odds & Picks: World Cup 2022

Spain, who won the 2010 FIFA World Cup, will square off against Costa Rica in their first game of the tournament. 

Spain is considered a massive favorite to beat Los Ticos. This team has surprised at the World Cup before, as they topped a group containing England, Italy, and Uruguay and made it to the quarterfinals in 2014.

Will La Roja’s youth and exuberance prove too much for their opponents? Or, could Costa Rica’s experience prove pivotal and carry them to another deep run?

​Spain vs. Costa Rica Prediction, World Cup:

The winning team model predicts Spain will win this Group E game with 64% confidence. The model also predicts a 28% chance of a tie/draw.

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Spain vs. Costa Rica Odds, Outrights, Over/Under

• Match Result: Spain (-650) | Draw (+650) | Costa Rica (+2000)
• Draw No Bet: Spain (-10000) | Costa Rica (+1500)
• Over/Under Goals: Over 2.5 (-160) | Under 2.5 (+115)

Spain vs. Costa Rica Match Info

2022 World Cup — Group Stage (E)

Date: Wednesday, November, 23

Time: 11:00 AM ET

Venue: Al Thumama Stadium

Coverage: FOX

Spain vs. Costa Rica Analysis

Spain comes into the 2022 World Cup with a young squad, but Luis Enrique still has plenty of talent to choose from. La Roja reached the semifinals of Euro 2020 and took the second spot in the UEFA Nations League over the summer, so a deep run is expected from this squad in Qatar.

Enrique sets his team up in a 4-3-3 formation, and he expects them to have plenty of possession, stay on the front foot and set the tempo of the match. Most of the time, this pays off for them as they have played some solid soccer over the last year.

Their biggest weakness is their inability to break down teams that sit deep. They simply don’t have the right target man or midfield to crack open tight defenses, and a tight defense is Costa Rica’s speciality.

Los Tico’s manager, Luis Fernando Suarez, prefers a 4-4-2 or 5-4-1 formation, and I expect Costa Rica to use long passes and counterattacks. They will use a defensive strategy to frustrate Spain into taking low-quality shots. 

Of course, Costa Rica has one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Keylor Navas, and the exceptional shot-stopper is certainly an excellent last line of defense. It’s upfront where Costa Rica really struggles, as the team scored the fewest goals in qualifying from the four CONCACAF teams.

This won’t be the most mesmerizing display you’ll see at the World Cup, with plenty of players between the ball and the goal. Ultimately though, I think Spain will get a goal in a low-scoring encounter.

I’m going with Spain to win, 1-0.

Spain vs. Costa Rica Game Result Odds

• Match Result: Spain (-650) 
• Draw No Bet: Spain (-10000) 
• Over/Under Goals: Under 2.5 (+115)
• 3Way Handicap Tie: Spain -1 (+290)