Costa Rica look to extend their unbeaten streak against El Salvador to 11 games when the teams meet for a Group C match in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup on Friday. Costa Rica's stretch without a loss against El Salvador, which dates back to 2009, was extended with a 2-1 victory in March 2022 during World Cup Qualifying. Both sides began this competition with a 2-1 defeat as the Costa Ricans lost to Panama while the Salvadorans were beaten by Martinique.
Kickoff at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. is set for 8:30 p.m. ET. The Costa Ricans are the +118 favorites (risk $100 to win $118) in the latest Costa Rica vs. El Salvador odds, while the Salvadorans are +240 underdogs. A 90-minute draw is priced at +210 and the over/under for total goals scored is 2.5. Before locking in any El Salvador vs. Costa Rica picks, you need to see what proven SportsLine soccer expert Martin Green has to say.
After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Since last year's World Cup, Green has been profitable in multiple areas on his soccer picks, including the Champions League (+4.78 units), the FA Cup (+3.07), the EFL Cup (+3.64), Euro 2024 qualifiers (+3.01) the Europa League (+1.60) and he's off to a 3-1 start at the Concacaf Gold Cup.
Now, Green has broken down Costa Rica vs. El Salvador from every angle and just revealed his picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see Green's picks. Here are the betting lines and trends for El Salvador vs. Costa Rica:
- Costa Rica vs. El Salvador money line: Costa Rica +118, El Salvador +240, Draw +210
- Costa Rica vs. El Salvador over/under: 2.5 goals
- Costa Rica vs. El Salvador spread: Costa Rica -0.5 (+115)
- CR: The Costa Ricans have gone eight matches across all competitions without a first-half goal
- ES: The Salvadorans have been outscored 11-2 in five overall games in 2023
- Costa Rica vs. El Salvador picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why you should back Costa Rica
The Costa Ricans look to end a four-game losing streak that began after a 2-1 victory against Martinique in the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League. Midfielder Aaron Suarez scored in the 88th minute to level that match and forward Anthony Contreras netted the winner in the 92nd. The club failed to convert in its next two contests but has gotten on the board in each of the last two, with the 21-year-old Suarez tallying in the 91st minute against Panama on Monday to avoid another shutout.
Costa Rica hope to receive an offensive contribution from veteran forward Joel Campbell. The 31-year-old has appeared in 100 fixtures for the national team, registering 19 goals and 18 assists. Campbell netted 12 tallies over as many matches across all competitions prior to the loss in the opener of this tournament. See which team to pick here.
Why you should back El Salvador
The Salvadorans are seeking their first victory in more than a year, as they have six losses and three draws since defeating Grenada in the Concacaf Nations League on June 4, 2022. The bright side is that the team has scored a goal in back-to-back contests after being shut out four straight times. Defender Bryan Tamacas made sure El Salvador would not be blanked in their Gold Cup opener as he converted in the 95th minute against Martinique.
That goal was the first with the national team for the 28-year-old Tamacas since March 2019, when he tallied versus Guatemala in a friendly match. Fellow defender Alex Roldan ended El Salvador's four-game drought when he scored in the 87th minute of the team's 1-1 draw with South Korea in a friendly on June 20. The 26-year-old has notched three assists in 16 matches for Seattle of Major League Soccer this season, his sixth with the club. See which team to pick here.
How to make picks for Costa Rica vs. El Salvador
Green has broken down the Concacaf Gold Cup Group C match from every angle. He is leaning Over on the goal total and has locked in two confident best bets, including one that pays plus money, while also offering a full breakdown of this matchup. You can only see his Concacaf Gold Cup picks and analysis at SportsLine.
So who wins Costa Rica vs. El Salvador on Friday, and where does all the betting value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see which wagers in El Salvador vs. Costa Rica have all the value, all from the soccer expert who is off to a 3-1 start on his Gold Cup picks, and find out.
