CONCACAF Gold Cup: USA vs Guatemala - Betting Tips, Odds & Prediction

USA find themselves only two wins away from reclaiming the Gold Cup trophy, but first, they must overcome giant killers Guatemala in the Gold Cup semi-finals at Energizer Park on Thursday.

The Star and Stripes return as the Gold Cup hosts two years after their shocking semi-final loss to Panama in San Diego. Until now, USA have lived up to the favourite status betting sites in NZ have labeled them with, but Mauricio Pochettino’s men have no room for complacency before getting the job done. 

Guatemala, meanwhile, stunned regional heavyweight Canada to reach this stage and will be confident of defying the odds once again.

USA

USA cruised through the group stages by dispatching Saudi Arabia, Haiti, and Trinidad & Tobago. With nine full points in the bag and a goal difference of 8-1, the hosts might have expected a straightforward quarterfinal. However, Costa Rica gave them a run for their money in Minneapolis.

It didn’t look like it would be the seven-time champions’ day after conceding a penalty and failing to convert one of their own. But following a 2-2 draw in regulation time, Matt Freese came to the rescue with three superb saves in the shootout to send the USA into the semi-finals.

Team News: Tyler Adams and Luca de la Torre should return in the US midfield, as Johnny Cordoso struggles with an ankle injury. 

Predicted Lineup: Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, Arfsten; Adams, De La Torre; Aaronson, Tilmann, Luna; Agyemang.

Guatemala

Guatemala are coming off one of the most significant results in their footballing history: a 1-1 comeback draw against Canada in the quarterfinals, followed by a dramatic 6-5 win on penalties.

Los Chapines secured second place in Group C thanks to a hard-fought 3-2 win over minnows Guadeloupe, following an earlier victory against Jamaica and a loss to Panama. It was enough for a ticket to the last eight.

Having been knocked out at the quarter-final stage every time before, Guatemala finally shattered that streak to set up a semi-final meeting with USA.

Team News: Kenderson Navarro will return between the sticks for Guatemala as first-choice goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen stays out with an injury. 

Predicted Lineup: Navarro; Herrera, Pinto, Samayoa, Morales; Rosales, Saravia, Robles; Escobar, Rubin, Santis.

• USA have won in three of their last five competitive matches against Guatemala.
• Guatemala beat the USA 2-0 in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
• Only one team has found the net in each of the last four meetings between these sides, including friendlies.

Betting apps had little trouble setting the odds for this matchup. On one side stands as one of the most decorated teams in the competition’s history, who will be playing in their 13th consecutive Gold Cup semi-finals. On the other, a side that has already punched above their weight to remain one of the last four standing. 

Knocking out Canada from the quarter-finals is a commendable achievement for Luis Fernando Tena's side. That said, we must remember that Guatemala enjoyed a one-man advantage for the entirety of the second half. 

So, the expectations are that the USA will get the job done by regular time in this one. Plus, they should be able to do so by maintaining a healthy goal advantage. Across friendlies and competitive meetings, USA have fired 17 goals past Guatemala in their last five meetings.

USA 3-0 Guatemala @ $8.00

Unless something extraordinary happens, the USA should run away with this match inside the first 90 minutes. Malik Tillman and Patrick Agyemang have formed a prolific partnership in the US attack. Max Arfsten and Diego Luna have also chipped in with three goal involvements each. To top it off, USA are averaging 2.5 goals per game in this tournament, so backing a 3-0 scoreline in favour of the hosts on Bet365 looks like a sensible option.