Greece – Ivory Coast

Greece vs. Ivory Coast in Fortaleza. Greece will advance if they win and Japan doesn’t, or if they win by a big score. Ivory Coast will advance for sure with a win and probably with a draw (if Japan doesn’t beat Colombia by 2 goals).

Greece performed very well to get a 0-0 draw with Japan, playing almost one hour without captain Katsouranis, sent off. They weren’t horrible in the 3-0 defeat to Colombia neither, it was a little bit harsh. But still Greece must show more than good tactics and defending on this big stage, and I don’t know if they can. Greece beat only Bolivia in the last 7 matches and scored only in 2 of those 7 matches, so these results say a lot. For this deciding game Greece doesn’t have Katsouranis, suspended, and best striker Kostas Mitroglou is unlikely to start because of an injury.

Greece: Karnezis – Holebas, Torosidis, Papastathopoulos, Manolas – Karagounis, Kone, Maniatis – Samaras, Fetfatzidis, Gekas

Bet with the best odds and highest limits at Pinnacle.

Ivory Coast lost 2-1 to Colombia but did not play bad at all: had more shots and 60% possession. Ivory Coast wants to build on the performances in the first two matches and qualify from the second place, for sure they are the favorites to do it. The Africans need to take the chances they will have today, because Greece will try to defend well and hit on counters. Zokora will not play for Ivory Coast, but no other worries for them. Drogba will probably be again the X-factor from the bench.

Ivory Coast: Barry – Aurier, Bamba, Zakora, Boka – Tiote, Toure – Gervinho, Gradel, Kalou – Bony

Greece doesn’t look capable of winning a game in this tournament and I don’t think they can get a draw either against Ivory Coast .. and looking at the odds, I have to say a bet on the Elephants holds good value. The Africans played very well and indeed they should have had 4 points now, but they were unlucky and have to complete the job today. Greece does not pose much offensive threat especially without Mitroglou, and I think over 90 minutes Ivory Coast will manage to get that winning goal or goals – especially that at some point Greece needs to go for the win and leave the defense less tight than usual. For sure they will look for the three points, they can’t play for a draw and hope the other result goes their way. My tip will be Ivory Coast to win. Result prediction: Greece – Ivory Coast 0-2.

Pick: Ivory Coast
Odds: 2.11 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 8.88
Event date: 24 June