The USA and Mexico have one all but one of the first 13 editions of the Gold Cup, so they seem like the safe choice to do so again. But do the experts agree or do they have another team in mind? Let’s check out their picks to win the 2017 Gold Cup tournament below.
Tom Sunderland of Bleacher Report gave his preview of the tournament, focusing on the Big Two of the US and Mexico. He cited the team selection for both countries as a significant factor. While neither team is sending its strongest squad, the USMNT will at least have some experience on the team as opposed to Mexico, which, according to Sunderland, will be relying more on tactics as opposed to individual brilliance.
But despite a less-than-stellar squad, Sunderland still believes the Mexicans will make it all the way to the final to face the USMNT. That’s where he thinks the Americans’ edge in experience will truly count, as Sunderland has the US (+120) winning the Gold Cup.
Fan Sided
Clemente Lisi offered up five bold predictions over at Fan Sided. Two such predictions involve the US and Mexico struggling during the group stage. And in line with that, by far Lisi’s boldest prediction will be that Costa Rica comes away with the championship instead of the USMNT and El Tri. Of course, that’s not as bold as one would think given Los Ticos’+400 odds to win the tournament.
Lisi believes the core of this Costa Rica squad, which has had a lot of success in recent years, has the ability to achieve something special to the level of their quarterfinal run in the 2014 World Cup. However, a lot of it will depend on star player Bryan Ruiz playing up to his full potential.
Sports Insights
Dan McGuire of Sports Insights has broken down the odds for this year’s Gold Cup tournament. If he had to pick between the two historic tournament favorites, the USA and Mexico, he says he’d lean toward the Americans to win it all.
However, he likes Costa Rica’s odds a bit better given their strong squad and recent success in international tournaments. It should be noted, though, that the odds he liked for Los Ticos were +725 at the time, and Top Bet now has them priced at +400 to win the tournament.
