We’re arriving to the final games of the first round of the Gold Cup. On Friday, Canada will head into Toyota Stadium as the soccer odds favorite in the CONCACAF Gold Cup matchup against Honduras.
Friday will also see the start of the final group stage games at the 2017 Gold Cup, and it may be something a little different than what you are used to at major soccer tournaments. In almost every major tournament, the final two games of each group are played at the same time, but the Gold Cup is ignoring that set-up, opting instead to stick with the doubleheader format that they have adopted since day one.
What that means is that Canada and Honduras will know exactly what they need to do to book an automatic berth into the quarter-finals this Friday night, as the game between Costa Rica and French Guiana will have ended by the time this one begins.
2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Betting Preview: Canada vs. Honduras
When: Friday, July 14 at 10 PM EST Where: Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX. TV: TSN2 (CAN) / FS1, UniMás, Univision Deportes (USA) Radio: None Live Stream: Fox Sports Go CONCACAF Gold Cup Odds: Canada PK+129, +225, U 2 -106 / Honduras PK-149, +143, O 2 -114 / Draw +210Another hot one in Houston… the #CANMNT boys are next en route to Dallas for their 3rd #GoldCup2017 match #CAN v #HON pic.twitter.com/jJpzpQD4zx
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) July 12, 2017
Brief Game Analysis
Canada already know that a tie will be enough to move them on to the next round, but they will have their sights set on winning the group, and that may mean having to pile on the goals against Honduras if Costa Rica lay a bit of a beating on their opponents. Things are a little tricky for Honduras, as they absolutely need the win, and need to do so in some style if they are to overtake the Canadians for what would likely be the second spot in the group. It’s going to be all to play for on Friday night, and the Canadians can deliver the first real surprise of this tournament if they can find a way to land at the top of this group. They would certainly deserve that spot, as they have been a fun team to watch in their two games so far.Why Bet on Canada?
Over the first two games of this tournament, we have watched a star being born on the international soccer stage. From the moment that Liberian born Alphonso Davies was made eligible to represent Canada, the hype train has been in full effect. Given that the young man is just 16 years of age, there were many who felt that his time might come after a bit of a settling in period. That has not been the case, though, as Davies has arguably been the star of the tournament, netting 3 goals in his first two games. The bad news is that he took a knock in the 1-1 tie with Costa Rica that make his presence for this game doubtful. Word out of the Canada camp is that he will be ready for this one, but it remains to be seen whether he will start or remain on the bench until he is needed, if he is even needed at all. Canada still has a strong enough squad of players to get the win here.
Why Bet on Honduras?
This has been a bit of a disaster tournament for Honduras for many different reasons. You could say that they were a little unlucky in their 1-0 loss to Costa Rica, but luck was very much on their side in a poor effort against French Guiana in a game that ended 0-0. To make matters worse, it was revealed that veteran player Florent Malouda was ineligible to play prior to their last game, which further threw things into madness. Honduras need a win against Canada if they are to move on, but that would mean having to score goals, which they have now failed to do in three straight Gold Cup games. It certainly doesn’t help their cause to see that Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan was named Man of the Match after his brilliant effort against Costa Rica, where he made 10 saves.Rivalry History
- Games Played: 22
- All-Time Series: Honduras 11-4-7
- Current Winning Streak: Honduras (1)
- Largest Margin of Victory: Honduras. September 2nd, 2012. Score: 8-1
- Longest Streak: Honduras (2005-2009)
Recent Game History
Canada
- Tie – July 11th, 2017 vs. Costa Ricaa. CONCACAF Gold Cup. Score: 1-1
- Won – July 7th, 2017 vs French Guiana. CONCACAF Gold Cup. Score: 4-2
- Won – June 13th, 2017 vs Curacao. International Friendly. Score: 2-1
- Tie – March 22nd, 2017 vs Scotland. International Friendly. Score:1-1
- Won – January 22nd, 2017 vs Bermuda. International Friendly. Score: 4-2
Honduras
- Tie – July 11th, 2017 vs. French Guiana. CONCACAF Gold Cup. Score: 0-0
- Loss – July 7th, 2017 vs Costa Rica. CONCACAF Gold Cup. Score: 1-0
- Tie – June 13th, 2017 vs Panama. World Cup Qualifiers. Score: 2-2
- Won – June 8th, 2017 vs Mexico. World Cup Qualifiers. Score: 3-0
- Tie – May 27th, 2017 vs El Salvador. International Friendly. Score: 2-2
Predicted Lineup
Canada
- 18-Milan Borjan
- 23-Michael Petrasso
- 5-Dejan Jakovic
- 19-Steven Vitória
- 17-Marcel de Jong
- 6-Samuel Piette
- 10-David Junior Hoilett
- 20-Patrice Bernier
- 8-Scott Arfield
- 12-Alphonso Davies
- 9-Lucas Cavallini
Honduras
- 1-Luis Lopez
- 5-Ever Alvarado 3-Maynor Figueroa
- 4-Henry Figueroa
- 21-Brayan Beckeles
- 16-Ovidio Lanza
- 6-Bryan Acosta
- 8-Alfredo Mejia
- 10-Alex Lopez
- 12-Romell Quioto
- 17-Alberth Elis
