If any team can be called the favourites to progress from Group C, it has to be Colombia. Playing on their home continent, undoubtedly a major advantage if history is any indicator, they will look to assert themselves early in the tournament, with a very winnable match against Greece.
Colombia’s road to the World Cup has been one plagued by uncertainty about who will be ready to play, with a number of major injuries to their best players. Radamel Falcao, one of the best strikers in the world and a man who the country would have been pinning much of their hope on, is still recovering from a knee injury that has kept him out for half of the year. Although he has been training with the national team, there is still a significant chance that he will miss the tournament and, even if he does make it, it is unlikely that he will be at his best. Heart and desire might be enough to overcome any physical problems and make a difference.
Greece find themselves in a similar situation to many national sides outside the major teams in the world, having some excellent players but perhaps not enough of them. Familiar faces Celtic’s Georgios Samaras and Fulham’s Kostas Mitroglou will hope to be able to score some goals to help their country’s cause. Greece’s talisman will be 37 year old Giorgos Karagounis, Greece’s most capped player ever and a veteran of their win at Euro 2004. If anybody knows about the magic it takes to overachieve at a major tournament, it’s him, and he will look to help his team do the impossible again.
The stronger squad and home advantage of Colombia have made them heavy favourites with the bookies, with the odds showing that a draw is probably the best Greece can hope for. For Greece, a point would be a good result and give them a chance of progressing if they can win elsewhere, but Colombia will certainly be looking to take all three and make a major step towards the knockout rounds.
–>>Betting againist the odds with HalfTime Result as Draw @bet365 2.00
