World Cup warm up: Can leggy Costa Rica recover in time for Serbia opener?

As far as warm up friendlies were concerned, Costa Rica clearly wanted to test themselves against some esteemed opposition in the build up to the finals in Russia but convincing defeats to England and Belgium may have taken their toll.

The surprise package of 2014 arguably have a more favourable group than the one that they topped four years ago in Brazil but ahead of their opening match the Central Americans look leggy. Travelling appeared to effect their energy levels at Elland Road last week and while they got off to a decent start against Roberto Martinez’s side, taking the lead through returning captain Bryan Ruiz, Costa Rica eventually fell to a heavy 4-1 defeat.

The fact that the XI that lost to the Red Devils was arguably the strongest available to head coach Oscar Ramirez is concerning and will have left him with some selection dilemmas. The side is almost unchanged from four years ago and there’s is a squad lacking much vibrance or creativity.

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The same can’t be said of Serbia, who recovered from a late 1-0 defeat to Chile to breeze past Bolivia 5-1, and a hat-trick from front man Aleksandar Mitrovic will have done his confidence the world of good. The side that started said victory may well have earned to do so on Sunday too, meaning Sergej Milinkovic-Savic would start alongside Nemanja Matic deep in midfield at the expense of Crystal Palace captain Luka Milivojevic.

That much is testament to the options at rookie coach Mladen Krstajic’s disposal, and the former international centre-back has made some big decisions already in his short tenure. There’s been a change of both formation and captain, and former skipper Branislav Ivanovic may well move out to right-back to accommodate some youth in an otherwise ageing defence in the form of Nikola Milenkovic.

Provided they can get off on the right footing, with a win crucial in this opening game, Serbia could yet be a dark horse to reach the latter stages this summer.

Writers' Predictions:

Martin Laurence - Costa Rica 0-2 Serbia

Ben McAleer - Costa Rica 1-3 Serbia

Josh Wright - Costa Rica 0-2 Serbia