With the Copa America and Euro 2020 reaching a climax this weekend, next up it’s the turn of North America and the Caribbean to grab our attention, as Round One proper of the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021 kicks off this weekend.
The Preliminary Rounds One and Two are done and dusted, so it’s the turn of Mexico, Canada, USA and Jamaica to enter the fray. The CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021 betting odds tell us the eventual winner will come from these four, so let’s take a look at their opening fixtures as they begin their campaigns on Sunday and Monday.
Mexico vs Trinidad and Tobago
AT&T Stadium July 11th
El Tri are ever-presents at the Gold Cup and record winners with eight trophies, and when they embark on their Group A campaign few neutrals will expect them to slip up against Trinidad and Tobago. At 11th in the FIFA World Rankings, the Mexicans are the highest-ranked nation in the competition and a full 92 places ahead of their opening opponents.
Trinidad manager Angus Eve has a huge task in this opener as his side has won only one of its last 12 meetings against Mexico, losing eight and drawing three, but they come into the game on the back of three wins, though against more modest opposition than Gerardo Martino’s side. Atletico Madrid’s midfield maestro Hector Herrera could make an appearance and the Trinidad players will rarely have come across such a big star, and El Tri are at odds of 1.73 to win with a -2.00 handicap. With scorelines of 2-0 at 3.90 and 3-0 at 4.50, expect Napoli’s Hirving Lozano to be on target.
Canada vs Martinique
Childrens Mercy Park July 12th
Group B sees Canada open up with a clash against Martinique and the North Americans should have far too much quality for the team from the beautiful Caribbean island. Canada wing-back Alphonso Davies is a key part of FC Bayern’s Bundesliga dominating squad and he could make an appearance in this opening group match. He’s a world-class talent, and Canada’s opponents would dearly love to pit themselves against such a star.
Martinique boss Mario Bocaly can rely on experienced midfielder Stephane Abaul. The 29-year-old has scored nine goals in 57 appearances and is in his third Gold Cup tournament, but the underdogs’ recent form isn’t great, Martinique haven’t won in five games while Canada is on a winning streak of six.
The favourites are at odds of 1.79 with a 1.50 goal handicap and John Herdman’s team should start with a victory.
USA vs Haiti
Children’s Mercy Park July 12th
Also in Group B The USA kick off their campaign against Haiti, and the Stars and Stripes are on a winning sequence of seven matches at home and they are unbeaten in eight, home and away, while Haiti are on a decent run, having won four of their last six games. France-born striker Duckens Nazon has 26 goals from 49 appearances and the 27-year-old has played in the English leagues for both Oldham Athletic and Coventry City; he is Haiti’s best hope of an upset.
The last time the two nations met, the Stars and Stripes won a narrow 1-0 victory at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and with their biggest stars missing from this tournament, the USA might find Haiti a tricky opponent again. A similar result would mean a bet on
Haiti +2.00, at odds of 1.72, would see a good outcome.
Jamaica vs Suriname
Exploria Stadium July 13th
Group C kicks off with the minnows of Suriname meeting the big names of Jamaica for the very first time. Suriname boss Dean Gurre watched his side win five on the bounce until they took a 4-0 thumping last time out at the hands of Canada, while Jamaica drew with a tough European opponent in Serbia.
Jamaica’s Ravel Morrison could be a player to watch. He was a prodigious talent as a youngster at Manchester United and played in the Premier League with West Ham United and Serie A with Lazio and, still only 28, he should still have plenty to offer. With players of the quality of Morrison, Leon Bailey and Michael Hector, Jamaica are a good bet to go deep into the competition.
For Suriname, 136th in the world rankings, Dutch-born Nigel Hasselbaink has scored seven goals in six appearances and he could be a threat, but the Reggae Boyz at 1.89 with a -1.50 goal handicap is most likely the way to go.
We have a great weekend of football coming up with Copa and Euro finals to look forward to and the start of this competition for real, so keep it here at SBOTOP for all the latest CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021 news and results as they happen.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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