Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports

Two very even teams will offer a new chapter in one CONCACAF’s most popular rivalries when Honduras host Costa Rica in a key match on the qualifying road to Brazil.

With eight matches played, Los Ticos are sitting in second place with 15 points and have already secured their stop in next year’s World Cup. Honduras, on the other hand, have 11 points and a victory could either secure them a place in the playoffs or put them in Brazil if Mexico and Panama draw.

Los Catrachos, as Honduras is known, have several experienced players in Europe, but no one is more important to the team than Wilson Palacios. The Stoke City midfielder has a proven track record in the Premier League and, when playing for the National Team, he has the freedom to push forward to create opportunities with his accurate shot from long range. Most of the team’s chances will go through his feet.

Costa Rica, on the other hand, have nothing to play for in this match, but a game against their rivals is always special. Look for Real Salt Lake City striker Alvaro Saborio to have a nice game, as his experience can be decisive in this type of match. He has a knack for scoring goals in important games, so he will surely complicate Honduras’ defensive line.

Prediction: Costa Rica 1-1 Honduras

Both teams will push forward constantly and Honduras will have the majority of the ball control. However, no team will be able to dominate the other and the match will end up even with only one goal per side.

Juan Pablo Aravena is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @jparavenarant or add him to your network on Google