It isn't showing that Trinidad & Tobago is playing in the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup. What is surprising is the fact that it is doing so as a group winner. There is no match in the first knockout round that is tighter from a betting perspective though, than the one T&T will play against Panama on Sunday.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Panamanians are projected to be the better of these two teams, but just by the most slender of margins. The Asian Handicap is set at a pick 'em, but Panama has the edge in vig at -132.
All three results are rather level right now on the three-way lines. Panama is booking at +158, Trinidad & Tobago is at +210, while the draw is lined at +200.
The total, just like most of the rest of the totals in the quarterfinals, is very low in this one at 2 (under -125).
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We came together and worked hard. We had some tough days, but it's something that we needed… After the difficulties, we had to come together and dig deep as a unit, management staff and players, to try and get the best preparation possible." – Trinidad & Tobago captain Kenwyne Jones on his team's preparation for the Gold Cup
RECENT FORM
What's scary for Trinidad & Tobago is that its best result thus far in the Gold Cup might be the one in which it didn't get its full three points. After taking down both Guatemala and Cuba in two-goal victories, the Trinidadians came up huge against Mexico in a thrilling 4-4 draw which saw seven goals scored in the second half. The island nation came back from down 2-0 and 4-3, the last goal of which came off of a corner kick on the last ball of the match. The win didn't mean anything in terms of getting through to the knockout rounds, but it did ensure a Group C triumph and put it in this match with Panama instead of a duel with Costa Rica.
Things weren't easy for Panama in Group A, but it managed to do just enough to get through in the draw-happy group. The Panamanians did lock up the United States in a 1-1 draw in their most impressive display, but they were only good enough for draws in matches against Honduras and Haiti as well.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
We're fans of Panama in this match. The Panamanians were unlucky not to get all three points from Honduras in their second fixture, and they were good enough to beat both Haiti and the USA as well.
Yes, Jones and Keron Cummings have become household names for those following the Gold Cup, but this is a team which really had no expectations whatsoever coming into this tournament.
For our money, three games doesn't change any of that. The duel against Mexico was a nice little result, but it ultimately didn't mean a heck of a lot, and it probably shouldn't have been a match which ended in a result. Panama surely isn't going to allow four goals in this one, and in fact, after it locked down the Stars and Stripes for most of the third match in Group A, we're not sure that Trinidad is going to score at all.
Panama 2, Trinidad & Tobago 0
The Gold Cup lines for this contest were first released by BookMaker Sportsbook with Panama lined as a +158 moneyline favorite and a total of 2 (under -125). Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, spreads and totals. Live betting is open during every step of this match!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don’t have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The fixture between Panama and Trinidad & Tobago is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The match will be televised live on FOX Sports 1.
