USA to be the stars of the CONCACAF Gold Cup

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is the biennial Championship of North America, Central America and the Carribean. The 2013 edition is the 12th of the tournament wih the winners going into a play-off with the 2015 winners for a place in the Confederations Cup. This event has seen just three winners, Mexico six times, the USA four times and Canada once.

Favourites to win this year are USA at 11/8 (GENERAL) just ahead of Mexico at 2/1 (bet365). These two sides have contested the final in each of the last three tournaments and are expected to do so again. The US have named a squad packed full of fringe players who manager Jurgen Klinsmann is considering for the World Cup in 2014. Mexico will also have a fringe side as they have had a long summer with the Confederations Cup.

The bet then on the outrights has to be the US at 11/8 (GENERAL) as they are showing greater form, have a stronger squad and should be much fresher than Mexico.

Although each of the last three finals have been between Mexico and the USA I think that another side can make the final this year as stated previously this is a weaker Mexico team. Costa Rica at 12/1 (GENERAL) could be the team as they sit second in the qualification stages for the World Cup and have just one loss in their last 15 games (and that came against the USA). They are the third highest ranked team from CONCACAF in the FIFA World Rankings and drew with a full strength Mexico side

Panama and Honduras were both semi-finalist two years ago and both are in the final stages of World Cup qualifying and can be backed at 16/1 (GENERAL). Canada are 33/1 (GENERAL) to win the tournament . The other six can be backed at big prices with Trinidad and Tobago available at 70/1 (188BET), El Salvador at 75/1 (BWIN), Haiti at 80/1 (william hill/188 BET), Martinique at 150/1 (GENERAL), Cuba at 200/1 (GENERAL) and Belize the 300/1 (ladbrokes) outsiders.

I think the best way to play this is with BWIN who are offering odds on teams to make the final as I think Mexico are vulnerable but the USA look too tough to beat. Costa Rica at 4/1 to make the final is a good bet.

The format of the competition is crazy with three groups of four leading to the top two from each group and the two best runners up into the last eight. Why they could not just do four groups of three and go straight into the semi-finals is beyond me.

In Group A Mexico are 4/11 (bet365) to win their group while Panama could be a little value at 9/2 (SKYBET/betway), Canada are 10/1 (BWIN) and Martinique are the big outsiders at 50/1 (bet365/BWIN/188 BET). Panama drew with Mexico last time out and with Mexico struggling for goals then it could be they top the group even on goal difference.

Honduras are the 9/10 (BWIN) favourites to land a wide open Group B while Trinidad and Tobago are 9/2 (SKYBET), El Salvador are 5/1 (SKYBET/188 BET/betway) and Haiti are also 5/1 (bet365/188BET). Group C is expected to be dominated by the USA who are 1.3 (BET365/SKYBET) to win it while Costa Rica are expected to provide the closest challenge at 40/17. Cuba are 100/1 (BWIN) and Belize outsiders at 125/1 (SKYBET).

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: USA to win the CONCACAF Gold Cup, 11/8 (GENERAL)
SILVER: Costa Rica to make the CONCACAF final, 4/1 (BWIN)
BRONZE: Panama to win Group A at 9/2 (SKYBET/BETWAY)

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07/07/2013     © Frixo 2026