World Cup Qualifying Preview: El Salvador - Costa Rica

In June Costa Rica was the toast of CONCACAF. A 1-0 win over El Salvador, followed by a 3-1 drubbing of the U.S. and a 3-2 road win over T&T had the Ticos on top of the group and looking comfortable to make another World Cup.

Things took a turn for the worse in August. A road trip to Honduras saw the group leaders smashed 4-0. That match was followed by the home thrashing on Saturday night at the hands of El Tri, and suddenly the Costa Ricans look to be in a bit of trouble.

The perfect way to get back in the swing of things would be a win in San Salvador, a place that has not been easy to visit during the Hex. The U.S. could only manage a draw on its trip to El Salvador and Mexico was handed a loss, so the task for the Ticos won't be easy. But a win would give Costa Rica a much needed three points. With the U.S. going on the road, where they've been poor to say the least, and the other two teams in front of Costa Rica squaring off in Azteca, three points could put the Ticos back at the top of the group.

Unfortunately injuries and suspensions will leave the Ticos a bit shorthanded, and a 0-7 aggregate in their last two outings does not bode well.

Upset Special

As mentioned above, home games for El Salvador have been a blessing for them, and a curse for the bigger teams in the region. The atmosphere at Estadio Cuscatlan is amazing when La Selecta take the field, almost threatening to the visitors, and the results have shown that it's a hard place to play.

The Salvadorians are still unbeaten at home, and though they have only won once there in the Hex, another strong result could go a long way in helping determine who comes out on top in CONCACAF.

Costa Rica will almost certainly come out and try to attack which should leave vast amounts of space for the very potent counterattack of the home side.

Players To Watch:

Costa Rica: Celso Borges. The young midfielder has a big job ahead of him. With Walter Centeno's fitness in question and Alvaro Saborio out on suspension, Borges might have to trigger the the Ticos' attack. A big job in a vital match for a 21-year-old.

El Salvador: Rodolfo Zelaya. This guy is lightening in a bottle and has proven to be a threat against any defense in CONCACAF. Zelaya is similar to Gio Dos Santos in many ways, and if his performance can mimic the Mexican's Costa Rica will have a long night.

Goal.com Prediction: The home team is disappointed from two straight tough losses while the visitors come in on one of the worst runs of form in recent memory. El Salvador should keep playing well and keep Costa Rica headed in the wrong direction. El Salvador 2-0 Costa Rica.

Allen Ramsey, Goal.com

For more on CONCACAF qualifying visit Goal.com's CONCACAF page.