The CONCACAF Gold Cup has reached the Semi Final stages, with holders Mexico drawn against Honduras and hosts USA taking on Panama.
Gold Cup Semi Final 1 – USA vs Panama
This match is particularly interesting as Panama managed to pull off a shock 2-1 victory over the hosts in the group stages, ensuring that they finished top of Group C, while the USA could only finish in second place.
That result was Panama’s first ever victory over the United States and at the same time, it was America’s first ever defeat in a Gold Cup group match, but it was the US who dominated in terms of possession and shots at goal.
Panama’s goals that day came courtesy of a Gomez spot kick and a Clarence Goodson own goal; it seems unlikely that Panama will enjoy such good fortune this time around and the Americans are deserved favourites for the tie (best price 1.46, Betfair).
Panama needed a last minute equaliser and then a penalty shootout to overcome El Salvador in the Quarter Finals and their best odds of 7.60 (Betfair) are not even remotely tempting, even if Jozy Altidore’s hamstring injury keeps him out of this match.
BetPal.com Verdict: USA to win in 90 minutes
Gold Cup Semi Final 2 – Honduras vs Mexico
The Mexicans are a best price of 1.42 (Betfair) to advance to the final, where they would be bidding for a fifth Gold Cup victory.
Honduras (best price of 9.00, Bet365) sealed their place in the Semi Final with a penalty shootout victory over Costa Rica and they will surely be no match for the free scoring Mexican side, who beat Guatemala much more comfortably than the 2-1 scoreline suggests.
Manchester United’s Javier “Chicharito” Hernández has already notched six times in this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup and he will be hungry for more as Mexico look to progress to their fourth Gold Cup final in five years.
BetPal.com Verdict: Mexico to win in 90 minutes
The Gold Cup Semi Final matches will take place on June 22nd.
The current favourites to lift the 2011 Gold Cup trophy are Mexico, at a best price of 1.62 (Bet365) while USA are 2.90 (Betfair) for an outright success. America’s chances rest on the fitness of Altidore, but even if he returns from his hamstring problem, Mexico have been playing much the better football and seem to have goals throughout the side.
Honduras can be backed for a Gold Cup success at a best price of 19.00 (Bet365) and Panama are as big as 16.00 (Betfair).
BetPal.com Verdict: Mexico to win the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
This article was written by moDtheGod.
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