CONCACAF Gold Cup: When Four Goes Into Two Stateside!

Costa Rica, Canada, the USA and Jamaica.

But only two of these nations can reach the CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-finals.

It’s quarter-final weekend and four exciting ties in little over 24 hours are set to entertain.

Talking Points

USA vs Jamaica

There have been plenty of CONCACAF Gold Cup highlights so far – in fact, I can do much worse than direct you to Bobby Reid’s stunner.

If you didn’t follow the competition closely, you could have been forgiven for missing it as the moment arrived in a seemingly run-of-the-mill 2-0 success for Jamaica over Suriname.

The Fulham striker scored the second to put the match to bed with a long-range volley. The Reggae Boyz saw the game out comfortably but their opponents will be left smarting from Reid’s stunner for some time!

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After a subsequent victory over Guadeloupe and 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica to determine who topped their group, awaiting Jamaica in the quarter-finals are one of the favourites, the Stars n’ Stripes of the USA.

Their record so far is three games, three wins, eight goals scored, one conceded.

Mexico and the United States have dominated this competition since it began in 1991 with the North Americans capturing eight titles and the US claiming six successes.

And the smart money is on a repeat winner on August 2. You rule out the others at your peril though!

The Reggae Boyz have made the Gold Cup semi-finals three times in a row, finishing as runners-up in 2015 and 2017 and have only lost three of their past 14 matches – albeit one of them was against the US.

Canada vs Costa Rica

The Ticos are a veteran-laden squad with 10 players who have played at least 50 matches for the national team.

Captain Bryan Ruiz and midfielder Celso Borges are the stalwarts, boasting a combined 52 goals while playing more than 130 matches apiece. Ruiz and Ariel Lassiter are key creative forces for Costa Rica, whose mere mention always reminds me of their famous 1990 World Cup success against Scotland.

Of course, aside from the US and Mexico, Canada is the only other nation to have tasted Gold Cup success.

Two 4-1 victories gave John Herdman’smen a perfect start before they went down to a narrow 1-0 defeat to USA, a nation they could well meet again.

This could be the closest to call of all the last eight ties.

History

USA vs Jamaica

Since a first meeting in 1988, the USA have defeated Jamaica 17 times and only lost three of their meetings.

A further eight matches have ended all square.

The most recent clash was a friendly in March when the Americans ran out 4-1 winners, courtesy of goals from SerginoDest, Brenden Aaronson and Sebastian Lletget (two).

They also met in the Gold Cup two years ago with a similar outcome.

On that occasion, the US triumphed 3-1 when two goals from Chelsea man Cristian Pulisic added to Weston McKennie’s opener.

Canada vs Costa Rica

With four of the last five clashes between these nations ending all square, the form guide suggests this will be a close encounter.

In the 2017 Gold Cup, they fought out a 1-1 draw in the group stages when Francisco Calvo and young Alphonso Davies traded goals.

They also played out a goalless draw in the group stages of the 2015 tournament.

Overall, Costa Rica have eight successes, Canada have four and there have been nine draws.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP CONCACAF Gold Cup betting odds strongly favour the US and you can back them 1X2 @ 1.58, First Half 1X2 @ 2.18, Asian Handicap – 1.00 @ 2.04 and First Half Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.19.

Jamaica, meanwhile, are available to tip at 1X2 @ 5.00, First Half 1X2 @ 5.00, Asian Handicap +0.75 @ 2.17 and First Half Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 1.72.

If the Americans are to see off Canada for the second time in four months by a 4-1 scoreline, the correct score odds are @ 27.00.

I think this will be a lot closer this time and my   prediction is Over 2.75 @ 2.19.

The other tie is, naturally, much closer.

Costa Rica have the edge with 1X2 @ 2.34 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.11, while Canada are priced 1X2 @ 2.97 and Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.20.

Yet another draw (although obviously there has to be an overall winner from this tie) is on offer @ 2.98.

Again, I am opting for a three-star tip, again I am opting for a fair few goals – my   prediction is Over 2.25 @ 2.17.

A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR () BETS ARE WORTH:
= €20 (Highly confident)	= €10 (CONFIDENT)	= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

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