Preview: Costa Rica vs. Uzbekistan - prediction, team news, lineups

While the visitors do not have a World Cup to look forward to, they will look to claim a seventh consecutive victory in Tuesday's game, which will take place in South Korea.

Match preview

After a fourth-place finish in the CONCACAF section of qualifying, Costa Rica had to face New Zealand in an inter-confederation for a place at the World Cup.

They travelled to the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Qatar for the all-important fixture, where a third-minute strike from Joel Campbell helped Costa Rica claim a narrow 1-0 victory.

With a place at a third consecutive World Cup secured, Los Ticos have turned their focus to preparing as best as possible for the tournament.

The current international period began with a meeting with South Korea, and Costa Rica looked on course to claim a victory when Jewison Bennette netted a brace to give his country a 2-1 lead.

However, a late strike from Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min ensured the contest ended all square, but Costa Rica will be confident of winning on Tuesday when they face a nation ranked 43 places below them according to FIFA.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan are still searching for their first World Cup appearance after they were knocked out in the second round of qualifying.

Despite winning five of their eight games, Uzbekistan finished five points adrift of group winners Saudi Arabia, who went on to qualify for Qatar.

While a place at the World Cup was unattainable, Uzbekistan have booked their place at next year's Asia Cup after winning all three of their qualifiers, which have formed part of a six-game winning run.

Their latest victory took place on Friday when goals from Khojimat Erkinov and Oston Urunov helped Uzbekistan claim a 2-0 victory over World Cup participants Cameroon.

Uzbekistan will now turn their attention to Tuesday's friendly in Suwon where they have the chance to clinch a seventh consecutive victory.

Costa Rica International Friendlies form:

D

Costa Rica form (all competitions):

Uzbekistan International Friendlies form:

W

W

W

Uzbekistan form (all competitions):

Team News

With the World Cup on the horizon, Luis Fernando Suarez is only expected to make a couple of changes to his Costa Rica side as he looks to finalise his starting lineup for their tournament opener against Spain on November 23.

Johan Venegas could come into the starting XI, while Keysher Fuller may replace Carlos Martinez at right-back for Tuesday's friendly.

After scoring a brace against South Korea, Bennette will continue to offer a goal threat from the left flank.

As for Uzbekistan, Urunov may have earned himself a starting place after coming off the bench to score against Cameroon.

Urunov could be the only new addition to the side for the meeting with Costa Rica, with Srecko Katanec expected to keep changes to a minimum following Friday's victory.

Erkinov was the other scorer in the 2-0 win, and the 21-year-old will feature in a front three alongside Oybek Bozorov and Eldor Shomurdov.

Costa Rica possible starting lineup:

Cruz; Fuller, Duarte, Calvo, Oviedo; Torres, Borges, Chacon, Bennette; Venegas, Campbell

Uzbekistan possible starting lineup:

Yusupov; Alikulov, Eshmuradov, Ashurmatov; Alijonov, Khamrobekov, Shukurov, Sayfiev; Erkinov, Bozor, Shomurodov

We say: Costa Rica 1-1 Uzbekistan

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