Spain Women v Costa Rica Women

Spain Women vs Costa Rica Women Preview

Onto Group C and the opening fixture of this group features this clash between Spain and Costa Rica at the Wellington Regional Stadium in Friday's evening kick-off where Costa Rica will be looking to frustrate their opponents once again in this edition of the World Cup.

Spain secured their passage to this World Cup Down Under after sailing through the group stages of the European qualifying section, finishing top of Group B eight points clear of runners-up Scotland thanks to winning all eight of their group games and achieving eight clean sheets in the process which was a remarkable effort.

In addition, Spain plundered a total of 53 goals during qualification and goals look set to feature once again in this upcoming clash with Costa Rica despite Costa Rica's heroics in the 2015 World Cup.

Spain's impressive results overall heading into this World Cup have produced 12 wins out of their last 14 internationals and the goals have been flooding in as Jorge Vilda's side have scored a total of 52 goals during this period and they look set to emerge from Group C along with Japan if results go according to plan.

Costa Rica had held Spain to a draw back in 2015 and although they will be seeking to hold up their opponents once again here on Friday night, a lengthy sequence of poor results from the time they had secured qualification from the CONCACAF section of qualifying suggests they may well struggle this time against the Spaniards.

Costa Rica have managed to capture just two wins from their last 18 internationals which came in the form of wins against minnows, Philippines and Haiti, whilst also being dealt no fewer than 13 defeats during this appalling period of results.

Having also failed to score in 11 of these previous 18 games it looks highly likely that Costa Rica could find themselves on the end of a heavy defeat in this opening match in Group C and the best that they can appear to hope for is a repeat of their 2015 draw with Spain this time around.

Costa Rica's best finish in a World Cup was just reaching the group stage back in 2015 and it looks likely that Costa Rica will equal that record this time around as well.

Spain W v Costa Rica W Verdict

Spain will have earmarked this opening fixture as the ideal opportunity to get their World Cup campaign not only off to a winning start but also a chance to get ahead on the goal difference margins as well.

Therefore, our main bet will be Over 4.5 goals @ 1.62

Other side bets worth considering:

Spain win & Over 5.5 goals @ 2.20

Correct score: Spain 6-0 @ 7.50