The US Men's National Team is fully expected to roll to a Gold Cup title this year. The task begins in the Lone Star State, where the Stars and Stripes will take on Honduras on the opening day of the tournament.
ODDS ANALYSIS
It shouldn't be a huge shock that the United States is the heavy favorite to win Group A, and it begins with this match. If you're going to bet on the Americans, it's best to do so now. The closer we get to the start time of the fixture, you know that you're going to have to pay a premium after all of the square hometown bettors wager on already inflated lines.
The line in and of itself is tantalizing for bettors; the USA is favored by just a one-goal margin on the Asian Handicap, meaning any victory will at least guarantee a draw. Considering the fact that the Americans are -223 on the moneyline, that -1 bet is going to be enticing for many, especially those who aren't the most aware of how soccer betting works.
The total for this opening fixture is set at 2.5 (under -114).
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We have four days to prepare for Honduras. We expect a nasty game and an aggressive and difficult game. We definitely have to step it up." – USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann following a 4-0 win over Guatemala in the last prep match before the Gold Cup
RECENT FORM
Recently, things have gone incredibly well for the Americans. They are coming off of a wildly successful European tour in which they beat both the Netherlands and Germany on the road, and they have wins against Mexico and Guatemala to show for their work as well. Granted, the side which went to Germany only sort of half resembles the team which will be playing for the Gold Cup over the course of the next few weeks, but the boost those victories had for American soccer cannot be understated.
Honduras played a solid match against Mexico in its last prep last week, picking up a scoreless draw. That match came on the heels of a South American jaunt in which the team was beaten by Brazil 1-0 and drew Paraguay 2-2. The Hondurans' last win came back in May against El Salvador in Washington D.C. 2-0.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Hondurans definitely have some talent on their side. Andy Najar and Anthony Lozano are both capable of scoring goals in this match for the underdogs, and the Americans haven't exactly shown that they are the most stout defensive team in the world over the course of their prep matches.
Clint Dempsey's suspension for this fixture and the stripping of his captain's armband in favor of Michael Bradley might not sit well here for the United States either. With Jozy Altidore not really in fine form at the moment either, there could be an issue in attack.
We could most certainly see a case where the Americans only get out of this match with a draw, a result which would infuriate Klinsmann and be stunning to all of the fans who head out to Frisco for the duel.
Still, we expect to see Honduras, which was last seen on the international stage shocking many in the World Cup, to present itself well in Texas on Tuesday to turn Group A on its head right at the outset of the tourney.
United States 1, Honduras 1
BookMaker has Gold Cup lines for every match of the season. The United States is lined as a -223 moneyline favorite, while the total is set at 2.5 (under -114). You can make a futures bet and predict the champion, wager on head-to-head matchups or use BookMaker’s live betting feature to gamble while the match is happening.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The fixture between the United States and Honduras is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, 2015, at 9:30 p.m. ET at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. The match will be televised live on FOX Sports 1.
