Curacao
Dick Advocaat may be the oldest man to ever coach a team at the world cup finals but he proved against Ecuador that he can still put a game plan together with the best of them. Not many expected the debutants to claim any points from this group but they could still qualify !!
They started the world cup exactly how most people thought they would with a 7-1 thrashing at the hands of four times world champions Germany. They did enjoy a wonderful moment when Livano Comenencia brought them level in the first half.
On matchday 2 they faced an Ecuador side entering the world cup on the back of a brilliant CONMEBOL Qualifying campaign. It was expected to be another one sided affair and on all the stats it turned out that way but Eloy Room produced the most saves in world cup history to help his side to a 0-0 draw.
Unbelievably there is still a very slim chance that the small caribbean nation could make the knockout stages !!!
Injuries & Team News
Advocaat will hope to be able to call upon Jurgen Locadia, the former PSV Eindhoven man left the field late on against Ecuador with what has been described as a “Knock”, should he not make it, Gervane Kastaneer will start.
Leandro Bacuna & Eloy Room are both set to earn there 75th International Caps when they face Ivory Coast in Philadelphia. Bacuna will start in midfield alongside his brother Juninho Bacuna.
Armando Obispo is the man with all the experience in the Curacao backline and the PSV man will once again start at centre back.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 0-0 vs Ecuador | W D L W L D |
Predicted Line-Up
Curacao possible starting lineup:
Room; Brenet, Gaari, Obispo, Floranus, Fonville; Chong, Comenencia, L. Bacuna, J. Bacuna; Locadia
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast are one of the form teams in International football right now, this talented squad had won 5 games in a row leading into the World Cup including a 2-1 victory in France.
On Matchday 1 they played out an uninspiring 90 minutes against Ecuador but with the game heading for a Goaless draw Man Utd winger Amad Diallo scored an injury time winner having come of the bench, a first ever win over a CONMEBOL Nation at a World Cup.
Matchday 2 against Germany provided a real test of their credentials and despite losing the game 2-1 due to a Denis Undav injury time winner they should have taken something from the game, Simon Adingra had a brilliant chance to give them the lead moments before Undav snatched the winner.
Injuries & Team News
Coach Emerse Fae will likely have to do without centre-back Wilfried Singo, the Galatasaray man suffered a hamstring strain in the loss against Germany, however they do hope to have him back for the knockout stages.
Better news for “The Elephants” is the return to training of AS Roma centre-back Evan Ndicka, he has missed the opening two matches with a thigh problem. He might not be able to force his way into the starting side just yet however due to the form of Manu Agbadou & Odilon Kossounou.
Yan Diomande, Amad Diallo & Inter Milan striker Ange Yoan Bonny are liekly to continue as the attacking front three.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 1-2 vs Germany | W W W W W L |
Predicted Line-Up
Ivory Coast possible starting lineup:
Y. Fofana; Doue, Kossounou, Agbadou, Konan; Sangare, Kessie, Inao Oulai; Diallo, Bonny, Diomande
Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Curacao Win | 16/1 – (17.00) | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 7/1 – (8.00) | Dream Vegas |
| Ivory Coast Win | 1/5 – (1.20) | 247Bet |
Prediction
Curacao 0-3 Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast are on a superb run of form despite the defeat to Germany last time out and i think they will catch Curacao at just the right time, they put plenty into the 0-0 draw with Ecuador and that could catch up with them here.