JULY 13: GOLD CUP GROUP B TIPS

I HAD been turning silver into gold on the CONCACAF tournament until the last two games – but I did say they were hard to pick.

Fearing the worst from Trinidad and Tobago I went for over 2.5 goals instead of backing the favourites and it ended in a shock 2-0 win for Haiti. Later a 90th-minute winner from Honduras beat my draw tip in their match with El Salvador.

Tonight’s big game sees USA entertain Cuba (8.30pm) and there should be another goalfest for the hosts who have hit 12 goals in their last two outings. They banged in six in a friendly against Guatemala and another six flew past minnows Belize in their tournament opener.

Cuba lost their opener 3-0 to Costa Rica but held out until half-time and haven’t lost by more than three goals in the last two years.

However, Jurgen Klinsmann’s men are on fire and should win easily. They are just 1-10 at Betway to collect the points and 1-4 minus one goal at Skybet.

The more adventurous can look at minus three – as I predicted against Belize – and that pays 21-20 at bet365 and William Hill. Cuba lost 5-0, 5-0 and 6-1 in the Gold Cup two years ago and 6-1 on US soil the last time the sides met.

Three of the last four meetings have produced over 4.5 goals and that pays 13-10 at BetVictor.

Landon Donovan netted in that World Cup clash and was the last USA player to hit a hat-trick – against Cuba in 2003 – before Chris Wondolowski notched a treble in the victory over Belize.

It was the San Jose Earthquake man’s fourth goal in two games – after failing to net in his first nine games for his country.

Wondolowski is 7-4 with William Hill to grab the opener tonight and it’s tough to ignore him while Donovan is 2-1 at the same firm.

Maybe the best bet would be back both to score at anytime. Wondolowski is 4-11 with Hills and LA Galaxy star Donovan’s 2-5.

USA have kept three clean sheets in their last four games and are 4-6 with Paddy Power to keep another. And oddschecker also point out that a repeat of the 6-1 scoreline against Belize pays 33-1 at Coral.

Tonight’s other Group B tie sees Costa Rica face Belize (11pm) and their 3-0 win against Cuba is a good guide.

Cuba are a similar standard to Belize so another two or three-goal win is possible. With Costa Rica again short at a best 1-10 with bet365, look to them to win minus one at 4-6 (boylesports).

The fact Belize netted against USA was a surprise as according to oddschecker the minnows have failed to score in six of their last eight outings. Costa Rica are 4-5 with Paddy Power to keep a clean sheet and it’s 11-4 with the Irish the game goes under 2.5 goals.

Oddschecker say Costa Rica have kept six clean sheets in a row and six of their last seven have been under 2.5 goals.

Recommended Bets

USA -3
(21-20, William Hill)

USA v Cuba over 4.5 goals
(13-10, BetVictor)

Costa Rica clean sheet
(4-5, Paddy Power)

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