Costa Rica vs El Salvador Odds & Prediction – CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying
- Costa Rica vies for their first win in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying action as they host El Salvador as betting favorites Sunday, October 10th at 6:05pm ET
- The Ticos are unbeaten in eight meetings with El Salvador, who are coming off their first victory in qualifying action earlier this week
- We’ve got you covered with all the odds and trends ahead of Sunday evening’s matchup at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica
Costa Rica continues the search for their first victory in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying when they play host to El Salvador on Sunday as -145 home favorites. The Ticos are currently winless in seven straight matches across all competitions including each of their first four World Cup qualifiers. That swoon has left them trailing in sixth on the CONCACAF Octagonal table. Listed as lengthy +425 road underdogs in Sunday’s matchup, El Salvador return to action aiming to build on this week’s 1-0 victory over Panama, which marked their first win in eight overall outings.
Here’s a look at all the odds, trends, and best bets ahead of this CONCACAF World Cup qualifying Matchday 5 clash, set for 6:05pm ET on Sunday afternoon at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica.
Costa Rica vs El Salvador Odds
| Matchup | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica vs El Salvador | COS -0.5 (-150) | ELS +0.5 (+110) | COS -145 | Draw +245 | ELS +425 | Ov 2.5 (+140) | Un 2.5 (-180) |
Odds at DraftKings as of October 9
Ticos Search for Lost Scoring Touch
Costa Rica’s recent offensive woes continued earlier this week, when they were forced to settle for a scoreless draw with Honduras as the latest round of qualifying matches got underway. The Ticos have mustered just one total goal during their current seven-match swoon, with that marker coming in last month’s 1-1 draw with Jamaica. Costa Rica’s struggles have left them stalled in sixth place on the Octagonal table.
Tonight’s CONCACAF results and updated table pic.twitter.com/nLq9SyKYEt
— Mike Martignago (@MikeMartignago) October 8, 2021
However, while their offense has disappointed, the Ticos’ have been steady defensively. The squad has surrendered just four total goals over their past eight contests, and sport a respectable -1 goal differential so far in World Cup qualifying. That leaves them well in contention to claim a spot above the line if they can return to the win column in Sunday’s contest.
Even with all of his accomplishments, Keylor Navas is still the most underrated goalkeeper in the world. Singlehandedly saving Costa Rica in the CONCACAF qualifiers right now. A god.
— Eddie (@gallitospurs) October 8, 2021
The Ticos also enjoy the benefit of a steady track record against El Salvador. Costa Rica is unbeaten in eight meetings with La Selecta since 2009. But once again, goalscoring has come at a premium in those contests. Costa Rican strikers have scored more than one goal just twice during their current 3-5-0 run against El Salvador, with each of their past two matchups ending in scoreless draws.
Costa Rica vs El Salvador Head-to-Head Stats
| 52 | Matches played | 52 |
| 32 | Matches won | 8 |
| 12 | Matches drawn | 12 |
| 8 | Matches lost | 32 |
| 118 | Goals scored | 44 |
| 108 | Points | 36 |
El Salvador Riding High Following Rare Win
El Salvador has not fared much better offensively during their recent disappointing stretch. The squad’s single marker in this week’s win over Panama marks their only goal scored in their past six outings. However, it proved to be enough to lift the club out of a two-match losing streak in which they were outscored by a wide 5-0 margin, including a decisive 3-0 road loss to Canada in qualifying action.
#VIDEO Gol de Enrico Dueñas al 36’ para poner a ganar a El Salvador 🇸🇻 1 🆚 0 🇵🇦 Panamá #EliminatoriasCONCACAF pic.twitter.com/l2Lg5SMG9i
— Neto De La Cruz (@Ernesto77ESV) October 8, 2021
The Salvadorans have particularly struggled defensively on the road, where they have lost three straight while surrendering seven total goals. With just one of those defeats coming in octagonal play, La Selecta have managed to remain just one point back of the Canadians in the race for a spot among the top three, and their first FIFA World Cup berth since 1982.
Mario Gonzalez es un porteraso! At 5'9, the El Salvador goalkeeper shows why it's not about height, but about goalkeeping technique and ability. Bravo 🧤#CopaOro #GoldCup pic.twitter.com/6wAF3wdeBR
— Bryan Hernandez 🍥 (@realbryhrndz) July 19, 2021
La Selecta have sorely missed David Rugamas, who has been sidelined by injury. The 31-year-old veteran scored eight times over six World Cup qualification appearances earlier this season, including three goals over a 13-minute stretch in the Salvadorans’ 7-0 rout of US Virgin Islands back in June.
It is tough to overlook that the squad’s scoring drought coincided with the start of Rugamas’ current absence in mid-June. With neither of these sides showing any signs of busting out of their current scoring slumbers, expect a low-scoring affair of Sunday evening, with a wager on a draw providing plenty of value.
The Picks: Draw (+245); UNDER 1.5 (+155)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
