Colombia and the Ivory Coast both managed to pick up all three points in their Group C opener, setting up a massive matchup on Thursday at the World Cup in Brazil. Neither team has had much World Cup success in the past and a win for either to go a long way towards going to the next round.
World Cup Odds: Colombia +110, Ivory Coast +265, Draw +240
Why Colombia Can Win
Even with Falcao being unable to recover in time from a knee injury, Colombia showed a real cutting edge in disposing of Greece by a score of 3-0. Even though Greece held the possession advantage at 54%, Colombia was lethal when they had the chance. James is being tipped as the man to replace Falcao and the 22-year-old midfielder scored once while leading the team with six shots, with five on goal. It was an impressive performance for a team that hasn’t been to the World Cup since 1998, and it has to be a great boost to their confidence.
But the Colombians have to be careful because they gave up some chances that a better team than Greece would have punished and they were lucky to keep a clean sheet.
Why The Ivory Coast Can Win
The Ivory Coast have a couple of players in Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure who can change a game, and Drogba did just that in their 2-1 win over Japan. Even though the talismanic captain started on the bench and didn’t find the back of the net when he entered the game, his very presence changed the way Japan defended and it gave Wilfried Bony the space he needed to tie the game, then Gervinho notched the match-winner just two minutes later. Toure wasn’t at his best, but we did see a couple of the runs from midfield we are used to seeing from him at Manchester City and it was enough to keep Japan on their toes.
Drogba should start this game for the Ivory Coast, who have never been past the group stage in three trips to the World Cup and he changes how the opposition looks at the Ivorians. Unless there is some sort of injury that isn’t being reported, look for Drogba to start this game for his country.
Outlook
This will be the first time that these two countries have met on the pitch, and they will see it as a glorious chance to progress past the group stage. Getting three points in your first match takes a lot of pressure off, but don’t expect either of these teams to take their foot off the gas; if anything, they will push forward even more and that should make for a very good game.
This looks like a draw as neither team is a great defensive squad, and this could end up being one of the more high-scoring matches we have seen in a World Cup filled with goals.
Pick: Draw
