The quarter finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup begin on Saturday night when the opening two matches will be played out with two spots in the semi-finals the prize on offer for the four teams who are on show.
We have seen some really good action so far in the tournament and now that there is more jeopardy in these games it would be foolish to expect anything other than lashings of tension and drama throughout the course of the night.
Panama vs Qatar (00.00 – Viaplay Sports 1)
The opening quarter final of the tournament sees the invited team Qatar looking to make it through to the semi-finals when they go up against the dark horses of Panama, who will be looking to show they have what it takes in big matches ahead of their attempt to qualify for the next World Cup in this part of the world.
Panama cruised through their group. They broke the back of it when they beat their strongest challengers Costa Rica in the first game and then lasted home comfortably to secure top spot in Group C. That probably wasn’t a surprise but what was more of a shock was that Qatar came through in second spot in Group B. They looked to have blown their chance when late goals went against them against both Haiti and Honduras but they took advantage of a weakened Mexico team in their final group game and with the other result going in their favour the recent World Cup hosts were able to get through. I haven’t been that impressed with Qatar in this tournament. Even in their win against Mexico their keeper had to have a day out to get them over the line and with Panama going to be at full strength and extremely motivated I think we need a best from the former Asian champions to win this match. I’ve liked Panama from the minute the squads were released in this tournament and have seen no reason to swerve them now. I like a bit of value in bets though and with Qatar being very defence minded the odds against on a Panama win with under 3.5 goals appeals. It covered in both of the Panama wins in the group stage and we didn’t see four goals in a Qatar game either.
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Mexico vs Costa Rica (02.30 – Viaplay Sports 1)
When the first quarter final is done all the attention will turn to the second quarter final which sees the tournament favourites Mexico looking to make it through when they go up against Costa Rica in the pick of the matches on the evening.
Mexico were expected to be the team to beat in this tournament and in the opening two matches of it they showed us exactly why. They were emphatic against Honduras and more than good enough against Haiti, which gave them the luxury of being able to rest and rotate players for their final group game. Even then, they were more than good enough to win in that but couldn’t force the ball in despite a raft of chances. Costa Rica were playing catch up from the minute they lost their opening group game but to their credit they came out on top in a thoroughly bonkers last match to secure their spot in this quarter final. You’d love to see Costa Rica open up and play like that more often but we have seen in the past that until their hand is forced that just isn’t the case. We know how this one will play out. Mexico will have all of the ball while Costa Rica will defend deep and look to catch them on the counter. I think Mexico will be too good here but we saw enough threat in the previous game that Costa Rica could pinch one and might just ride it home. I’m happy to leave this second quarter final alone.
Tips
Back Panama to win and under 3.5 goals for a 3/10 stake at 2.10 with Boylesports
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