USA and Panama to meet in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final

Just four teams remain in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and it is USA who are now the 3/4(betway) favourites as they look for their fifth tournament victory and their first since 2007. The hosts have been impressive in qualifying so far netting 16 and conceding just three. Mexico are next in the betting at 5/2 (GENERAL) as they seek their seventh CONCACAF title and their third in a row. After an opening game defeat they have picked up winning their next three games and now face their opening day conquerors Panama.

Speaking of Panama they are 7/1 (GENERAL) for their first ever CONCACAF Gold Cup as they seek to go one better than their runners-up spot in 2005. The outsiders of the remaining four are Honduras who are 11/1 (boylesports/188 BET/betway) and they are seeking their first success in this tournament.

After an impressive qualification campaign it is understandable that the USA are the 2/5 (paddy Power/william hill) favourites to see off Honduras when the pair meet in the opening semi-final on Thrsday morning (00:00 GMT). The US have been impressive in the tournament and have won 12 of the last 16 head-to-heads.

Honduras can take heart from the fact that they have won two of their last four against the United States including a victory over them in World Cup qualification in February and they can be backed at 17/2 (BETVICTOR) to win this game. These two sides met in the final of this tournament in 1991 and the game went to penalties and you can get 4/1 (BETVICTOR) the game ends in a draw and 6/1 (YOU WIN) that this game goes to penalties.

The best bet in this game is in taking Honduras to frustrate the USA in terms of goals. Honduras have not conceded a goal in the first half of any of their last six games and it is 13/8 (BETVICTOR) that the USA first goal will come after the 38th minute or not at all.

The second semi-final takes place later that evening (03:00) as Mexico take on Panama. These two sides met in the group stages and it was Panama who came out on top therefore it is a surprise Mexico odds on in some places for victory. True the head-to-head record favours Mexico as they have won seven of the twelve matches between the duo, but they have won none of the last three meetings.

Panama have won three and draw one of their four games in the tournament so far including that 2-1 victory over Mexico in the group stages and they can be backed at 10/3 (SPREADEX) to win in 90 minutes.

I like the look of Panama though do worry about the risk of extra time as three of the last five meetings between the dup have ended all square so instead I recommend them in the to qualify market at 7/4 (paddy Power). One final bet I like the look of is in the both teams to score market which can be backed at 23/20 (CORAL). In Gabriel Torres Panama have a real goal threat who has five goals in this tournament so far while Mexico have only failed to score against Panama in one of their 12 meetings.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Panama to qualify for the final, 7/4 (paddy power)
SILVER: Both teams to score in Mexico v Panama, 23/20 (CORAL)
BRONZE: USA not to score a goal before the 39th minute, 13/8 (BETVICTOR)

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23/07/2013     © Frixo 2026