Betting heating up for World Cup play-offs

World Cup betting markets have Costa Rica and Uruguay almost level in the battle to claim a win in the first play-off fixtures.

The two sides meet next Saturday in Costa Rica in the first of a two-legged tie, with the winners going on to next year's competition in South Africa.

Betting for the fixture has already begun, with Costa Rica on 2.52, and Uruguay at 2.28 with Betfair – among the tightest markets for the November 14 round of games.

Over in Europe Portugal are still odds-on to beat Bosnia in their first leg at home, also on Saturday, even though doubts remain about the fitness of their star player, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Betfair has Portugal on 1.41 for the first leg, with Bosnia on 7.00 and surely hoping for the more realistic outcome of a draw at 4.80.

Portugal's Ronaldo has been forced to seek treatment from a specialist in Holland after the winger failed to shake off an ankle injury which has sidelined him for a month.

The 24-year-old has been advised to push on with his recovery before the problem is assessed again in two weeks – putting him out of action for both play-off games.