Best Bet: Serbia’s favourites price against Costa Rica still represents value

It may only be their second ever appearance at a World Cup finals as an independent nation but Serbia have the quality to counteract their inexperience of football’s grandest stage.

Qualifying from a competitive group ahead of home nations Wales and Republic of Ireland, as well as Austria, the Group E hopefuls have undergone significant changes since booking a place in Russia but still look prepared for this summer.

Costa Rica, meanwhile, have had to do a lot of travelling in recent weeks and there familiarity with the climate and conditions in Brazil four years ago won’t play into their favour this time around. Neither will the fact that the squad is lacking new faces from the previous World Cup and as such has somewhat stagnated.

With six goals conceded across friendlies with England and Belgium, their solidity looks questionable to say the least this time around, and Serbia have plenty of players capable of picking the lock of a deep rearguard action.

As a consequence Mladen Krstajic’s side are rightly backed as the favourites to pick up all three points from the opening game in a group that involves Brazil and Switzerland and take a big step towards the knockout phase.

It’s a straightforward tip for the early kick-off in Samara but with a price close to evens with Marathon Bet (1.97) on a Serbia win, the chance to double your money is tempting enough.