CONCACAF Gold Cup Group A: USA face Honduras, Panama tackle Haiti
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CONCACAF Gold Cup holders USA have been drawn in a relatively simple Group A, and will be confident of going all the way yet again this summer (13/8 with Coral to be crowned champions).
Their first match-up comes against Honduras, while Caribbean nation Haiti battle it out with Panama in the opener.
USA v Honduras
Defending champions USA begin their defence against their toughest group opponents in the form of 2014 World Cup finalists Honduras, with Jurgen Klinsmann’s men hoping to retain the coveted crown this summer.
The odds-on 4/9 favourites to triumph are without the tournament’s all-time goalscorer Landon Donovan for this year’s competition after his retirement, with the key focus of the USA attacks now falling upon the shoulders of Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore and Chris Wondolowski.
Former Premier League forward Dempsey, now back in his home nation with Seattle Sounders in MLS, and he is 9/2 to open proceedings against Honduras, while previous Sunderland striker Altidore is even-money to net anytime.
Michael Bradley will captain the Stars and Stripes in the heart of midfield, and is another former Premier League representative, having featured for Aston Villa in his career. Between the sticks, current Villans stopper Brad Guzan is 17/20 to keep a clean sheet.
Rubilio Castillo is set to lead the line for Honduras, with the 23-year-old an 11/4 chance to get on the scoresheet at anytime. Maynor Figueroa may be the only recognisable face to Premier League fans, and the former Hull City and Wigan Athletic defender an unlikely 12/1 to score anytime.
Panama v Haiti
Both these nations are facing tough task of getting out of Group A, with the USA and Honduras set to battle it out for top spot. Although, if one of the dominant sides slip up, either Panama or Haiti could sneak in at second place.
FA Dallas danger Blas Perez will undoubtedly be Panama’s key attacking threat, but are in danger of an over-reliance on their frontman. He is 4/1 to strike the game’s opening goal, while fellow forward Luis Tejada is available at the same price to score last.
Panama are odds-on 8/15 to triumph, while Haiti are 11/2 outsiders to pick up three points in this opening encounter in the Gold Cup.
Betting tip: Dempsey to score first for USA @ 9/2
