Vinicius Junior and Brazil Open With Costa Rica
Brazil vs Costa Rica Odds Heavily Favor 2021 Finalists Brazil
Brazil Going for Tenth Straight Win Over Costa Rica
To close out 2023, Brazil lost three straight games for the first time since 2001. Since then, they’re unbeaten in their first four matches under new head coach Dorival Junior. On Monday, Vinicius Junior and 2021 finalists Brazil open up Copa America with a match vs. Costa Rica. Costa Rica have fallen off in the last couple of years and Brazil are looking for their tenth straight win over Los Ticos, in all competitions. Before the action gets underway, we’ll take a closer look at the Brazil vs Costa Rica odds.
Brazil vs Costa Rica
Date & Time: Monday, June 24th, 9:00 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA, USA
Brazil vs Costa Rica Head-to-Head
This fixture has been as one-sided as it gets over the years. Since a 1960 loss, Brazil have won nine straight games over Costa Rica. These teams last met in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and the Brazil vs Costa Rica odds listed Brazil as -425 favorites for that match. Brazil won 2-0 in a Group E meeting. Neymar and Philippe Coutinho scored but neither are in Brazil’s squad for the Copa America. All-time, Brazil are 10-1 versus Costa Rica.
Brazil Making do Without Neymar
Dorival Junior has made it clear that Brazil need to learn to cope without injured mercurial superstar Neymar. Neymar, now with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, tore his ACL in a 2-0 loss to Uruguay last October. One month later, Brazil lost to Colombia and Argentina and dropped three straight games for the first time in 23 years.
Since then, Brazil’s scores have improved. They’ve gone 2-2-0 under Dorival Junior and have beaten England and Mexico. Another Junior, Vinicius, figures to be at the center of everything Brazil do this Summer. Vini Jr. had a superb season with Real Madrid and scored in the Champions League Final victory against Borussia Dortmund. While Vini scored 24 goals in 39 appearances for Real this season, the winger has only scored three times in 30 games for Brazil.
No player on Brazil’s active roster has scored more than 10 times for the national team. This generation of Brazilian players is yet to achieve much but there are high hopes for Real’s Vini, Rodrygo and the 17-year old Endrick.
Alfaro Oversees Costa Rica Overhaul
This is Costa Rica’s sixth appearance at the Copa America, all-time. They’ve never made it past the Quarter-Finals stage and they’ve had a rough go of things since the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Costa Rica also haven’t made it past the Quarter-Finals at any of the last three Gold Cups. Expectations aren’t high for a side whose golden generation has come and gone and they’re not a popular pick on Copa America brackets.
Few argue Keylor Navas isn’t the greatest CONCACAF goalkeeper of all time but he just retired from international football Kevin Chamorro could be the number one keeper for Costa Rica at the Copa America. Joel Campbell has scored the fifth-most goals in the history of the Costa Rica national team and he is in the squad for Copa America.
In 2023, Costa Rica lost eight of the 12 matches they’ve played. Still, they did pick up shutout wins in recent World Cup Qualifiers against St. Kitts and Nevis and Grenada. Gustavo Alfaro just took over as Costa Rica’s coach last November and he’s set on integrating young players. Orlando Galo and Manfred Ugalde are two players to watch.
Brazil vs Costa Rica Match Analysis & Odds
As this is the first match on the Copa America 2024 schedule for both teams, they’ll want to kick off the tournament on the right foot. Brazil have looked better than they did last November lately and they are -700 favorites for Monday’s match. They should have too much quality for Costa Rica to compete.
Costa Rica are +1800 underdogs according to the latest Brazil vs Costa Rica odds. Alfaro will want Costa Rica to learn by doing, and there’s no better test than taking on Brazil. Brazil head into this match 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, while Costa Rica are 52nd. A draw is priced at +700 but this is one Brazil need to win, given later matches against Paraguay and Colombia.
Brazil are 5-2-0 in their last seven group stage matches in Copa America and this is a perfect opportunity for Vini Jr. to finally shine on the international stage. Under 3, 3.5 goals is priced at -130, while a no on Both Teams to Score sits at -170. Brazil -2, 2.5 shows +105 odds and Brazil can make a statement with a big win. Still, they haven’t won any of their last nine games by more than a one-goal margin.
