Honduras vs Costa Rica

The two nations that are yet to win a match in the ongoing CONCACAF World Cup qualifying group will face each other at the Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano as Honduras take on Costa Rica.

It’s been a thoroughly disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign for Honduras so far, as they head into proceedings winless in their first three matches (D2, L1). Sitting three points adrift of the last automatic qualification spot, Honduras’ hopes of returning to the World Cup finals for the first time since 2014 are still very much alive. However, a victory here is required, though it means ‘Los Catrachos’ have to snap a five-match winless streak in competitive action (D2, L3). Moreover, since racking up a brace of 1-0 H2H victories in 2013, the hosts have failed to beat Costa Rica in their subsequent five H2H meetings in all competitions (D4, L1 – only 90 minutes), netting under 1.5 goals four times in the process.

The visitors are in a similar position as their hosts, with a 1-0 home defeat to Mexico, sandwiched by a pair of uneventful draws with Panama and Jamaica, placing them three points below the play-off spot. A lack of firepower up top has seen Costa Rica score just once in their three World Cup qualifying matches in the ongoing series, courtesy of Jimmy Marin’s 3rd-minute strike against Jamaica last time out. Yet, after reaching the World Cup finals twice in a row, the Costa Ricans face a unique opportunity to qualify for three consecutive showpiece editions for the first time in the nation’s history. That added incitive, combined with a three-match unbeaten streak on foreign soil (D2, L1), suggests ‘Los Ticos’ will fancy their chances against Honduras.