CONCACAF Gold Cup action continues with the much-anticipated match-up between Canada and the United States. Plus, other games and bets to make on the four-game slate on Sunday, July 18. Let’s have a look at the CONCACAF Gold Cup free picks.
The four final games for Group A and B at the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group Stage are set, with the headliner for the day a showdown between the United States and Canada. Get ready for the action with our CONCACAF Gold Cup bets for July 18.
Match of the Day: The United States vs. Canada
| To Win the Match |  | | | To Win the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 1.80 | Draw (3.10) | 5.00 | Canada |
The game everyone has marked on their calendars wraps up the final leg of Group A– with Canada and the United States both vying for the top spot in their Group.
The Canadian team has looked great in their first two matches, posting eight goals) and a +6-goal differential. If they can keep it up, Canada can win the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Of course, their next test is much more challenging than Martinique and a shorthanded Haitian squad – it’s the United States. The United States was not their sharpest in a 1-0 against Haiti but rebounded with a big win against Martinique. Now, sitting two points back of Canada, they look to best their neighbours to the north and win the Group.
The United States has never lost to Canada at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, sporting a 3-1-0 record and a +5 goal differential. Their last meeting at the tournament resulted in a 2-0 win by the United States in 2011.
Ten years is a long time, and in that time, Canada has vastly improved their team. However, there are two problems for Canada entering this match. First, Canada is without their biggest star – Alphonso Davies – who is missing the tournament due to an ankle injury. Second, the United States is playing at home and will get a boost from the crowd.
Without Davies, Cyle Larin has stepped up to lead the team. The forward has three goals this tournament and is coming off a season where he tied for the Super Lig lead in goals with 19.
The U.S is also in a similar boat to Canada, opting to leave key players – including Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie – off the roster so they can get some additional rest. Likely, meaning the U.S is more focused on World Cup Qualifiers than the 2021 Gold Cup.
The United States also needs to win this game to avoid a date with Mexico in Semi-finals. A loss for Canada would spell the same thing, but Canada’s expectations in the tournament are always lower than the U.S – putting pressure on the U.S.
Overall, this is a tight match to call. Even without some key players, both teams look like two of the best three in the tournament. Canada’s had plenty of offensive power, while the U.S gets a home crowd boost. They also split their last two meetings dating back to 2019. We are going with Canada but also see soccer betting value in taking the draw.
Martinique vs. Haiti
| To Win the Match | | | | To Win the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martinique | 4.60 | Draw (3.25) | 1.81 | Haiti |
It has been a tough go for Haiti – which were looking to improve on a third-place finish in 2019. They have lost both games in the tournament, including one to Canada, where they were without seven players due to health and safety protocols.
Haiti ends the tournament against Martinique, a team they are favoured to beat and should beat even without their entire squad. Martinique has struggled in the tournament, allowing ten goals in losses to Canada and the United States. Haiti’s defence is good enough, even shorthanded, to handle Martinique and end the tournament on a high note.
Guatemala vs. Trinidad and Tobago
| To Win the Match | | | | To Win the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guatemala | 2.75 | Draw (3.05) | 2.43 | Trinidad and Tobago |
It is a disappointing tournament for Guatemala – who enter the game goalless and with a -5 goal differential. Trinidad and Tobago picked up a draw against Mexico, but with a negative goal differential, nothing outside of a win by 5-0 or more, and a Mexico loss to El Salvador will move them on in the tournament.
The CONCACAF Gold betting odds on this game are tight – potentially because these two countries are 8-7-8 against each other all-time. Their last meeting – in 2016 – ended in a 2-2 draw (during World Cup qualification). There is not too much to like about either team in this game, so go with the best CONCACAF Gold Cup betting odds and bet the draw.
Mexico vs. El Salvador
| To Win the Match | | | | To Win the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 1.25 | Draw (5.20) | 9.80 | El Salvador |
With wins in their first two games, El Salvador is guaranteed to advance to the tournament’s Knockout Stage. Mexico sits second in the Group with four points is likely to move on even if they lose and Trinidad and Tobago pick up a win against Guatemala – thanks to goal differential.
A draw or a win for El Salvador wins them their Group and a date against the runner-up from Group D. However, El Salvador has fared poorly against Mexico and enter the match as considerable underdogs.
With wins in their first two games, El Salvador is guaranteed to advance to the tournament’s Knockout Stage. Mexico sits second in the Group with four points is likely to move on even if they lose and Trinidad and Tobago pick up a win against Guatemala – thanks to goal differential. A draw or a win for El Salvador wins them their Group and a date against the runner-up from Group D. However, El Salvador has fared poorly against Mexico and enter the match as considerable underdogs.Mexico is 32-1-5 against El Salvador and riding a seven-game winning streak against their CONCACAF counterpart. During their seven-game winning streak, Mexico has outscored El Salvador 22 to 4 and never allowed El Salvador to score more than one goal in a game. Their most recent meeting was a 3-1 win by Mexico at the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Scoring against Mexico is a tall task for El Salvador. Mexico has allowed only one goal in their last five CONCACAF Group Stage games and only one goal to El Salvador in their previous three meetings.
Mexico also looks much sharper (beating Guatemala 3-0) after shaking off a disappointing 0-0 draw against Trinidad and Tobago in their opening game of the tournament. Mexico should once again beat El Salvador and win Group A.
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