CONCACAF Gold Cup final: Jamaica can make history against giants Mexico
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Central American heavyweights Mexico contest their 11th CONCACAF Gold Cup final against surprise first-time finalists Jamaica, with history stacked firmly in their favour.
The Aztecs are 4/5 odds-on favourites from Coral to take the spoils over 90 minutes in Philadelphia and with good reason, as El Tri hold an impressive head-to-head record against the Reggae Boyz with 15 wins to 2.
However, this Jamaican team appear intent on ripping up the rule book, having already scalped hosts the USA to meet Mexico for the finale, with previous excellent results including a splitting of the spoils with Costa Rica.
The Caribbean country are sensationally priced for punters at 7/2 to deliver another shock victory and make this a Gold Cup to remember. Winfried Schafer’s spirited side had previously shown their defensive steel in the 2015 Copa America, but have managed to add attacking edge in the Gold Cup, notching seven so far.
England-based wing pair Jobi McAnuff (14/1 to have the final say) and Garath McCleary (the same price to poach first) have both been among the goals, providing the Reggae Boyz with plenty of forward thrust, and could prove tricky for Miguel Herrera’s men to handle in such a confident and fruitful vein of form.
Then, of course, there is former West Bromwich Albion forward Giles Barnes, and the London-born attacker has proven lethal in the knockout stages, hitting two in as many of his last matches. So, back Barnes at a terrific 2/1 to cause an upset and strike again anytime.
Mexico, meanwhile, made it to the showpiece final following a contentious victory over Panama, and putting all their eggs in the Gold Cup basket could still come back to haunt the Central Americans if they do not take the spoils here.
The Aztecs’ performances have ranged from the sublime (a 6-0 thrashing of Cuba soon followed by another four against Trinidad and Tobago) to the stale (a disappointing group stage draw with Guatemala, while extra-time was needed to take out both Costa Rica and the Canal Men).
Which Mexico will show up against the Caribbean nation remains to be seen, though El Tri have benefited from the rub of the green to end in the top two and are 23/10 to at least split the spoils in normal time.
On their day, however, Herrera’s side are formidable opponents and, on top form, a midfield trio of leading scorer Andres Guardado (also a tempting 2/1 in the anytime market), Villarreal star Jonathan Dos Santos (10/1 to draw first blood) and Porto’s Hector Herrera in support of predator Oribe Peralta, who is 6/1 to bag a brace or better, should be too strong for Jamaica.
So, customers can back the Mexicans to be in the mood at a favourable price of 5/1 to notch three or more past underdogs the Reggae Boyz.
Betting tip: take a chance on in-form Barnes to be a history maker at 2/1 in the anytime market
