El Salvador Vs USA
El Salvador Vs USA Friday 3 September, 2021 – 03:05 (BST)
CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier
Pick: Both Teams to Score (NO)
Odds: 9/10
Bookmaker: Betfair
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 1 September 2021)
Preview: After a jubilant summer, the USMNT turn their attentions to the important matter of World Cup qualification. Gregg Berhalter’s men begin the final steps of what they hope will be their journey on to next year’s tournament in Qatar with a qualifier away to El Salvador.
2022 World Cup Qualifying Betting at Betfair
Table of Contents
El Salvador – Stubborn hosts capable of providing resistance?
More than a decade after last featuring in the final stage of CONCACAF’s long and laborious World Cup qualification process, El Salvador are now potentially fourteen matches from reserving their spot on a 32 team shortlist for Qatar 2022. For a country which has not competed at the finals since the last of two appearances at Spain 82′, the prospect of attending their first tournament in forty years is tantalising.
La Selecta are not to be dismissed lightly either. A commendable Gold Cup showing should have all remaining competitors on high alert. Under the guidance of former USA Youth Coach Hugo Perez, El Salvador – who have also enjoyed a rise of five places in the latest FIFA Rankings, now up to 64 – reached the Last Eight where, despite a typically spirited display, they were ousted 3-2 by invitees Qatar.
Perez would also oversee successive 2-0 wins over Trinidad & Tobago and Guatemala prior to running Mexico close in a 1-0 loss in Dallas, US. And with just the six goals conceded in thirteen contests (W7 D3 L3) since the start of the year, what awaits the USA in San Salvador is not merely a team capable of turning in a stoic rearguard effort, but one well-versed, up to speed and raring to return to competitive action.
USA – Star and Stripes can round off memorable 2021?
For the first time since May 2006, the United States men’s national team has established themselves as one of the top ten ranking teams in the game after claiming back-to-back CONCACAF titles in 2021. Gregg Berhalter’s side clinched the inaugural Nations League in June with a thrilling victory over Mexico, before once more edging their North American rivals in the Gold Cup final eight weeks later.
However, the serious business awaits on Thursday. Missing the cut for the last World Cup hurt. So much so that Berhalter order his European stars – Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie et al – to stay at home and focus on pre-season instead of competing at this summer’s Gold Cup. Meaning fresh positive reinforcements for a winning collective keen to build on all this momentum.
USA won five of six games at the Gold Cup – they prevailed in extra-time in the final. Extending their unbeaten run to nine (W7 D9 when excluding extra-time). They have lost once in their last nineteen encounters (W15 D3 L1). But perhaps most impressive of all has been the huge strides defensively. They approach the first of three qualifiers this month having shipped one goal in the last seven matches.
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El Salvador Vs USA Betting Advice
Meetings between the countries have typically produced plenty of goals. All of the past 15 have seen a minimum of two, while six ox the past seven went one better. With the USA victorious in each of the last five (all on home soil, it must be noted), combining a US win with Over 2.5 Goals is certainly one option. However, since 1989, El Salvador have held their own (D2 L2) when hosting the Stars and Stripes.
El Salvador Vs USA – Key Facts:
- Nations League and Gold Cup holders USA resume World Cup qualification on the back of a nine-match unbeaten run, conceding just one goal in their last seven outings.
- There has been a minimum of two goals scored between these sides across their past fifteen head-to-heads. The USA are bidding for a sixth straight victory.
- Clean sheets are a common occurrence for both these sides. At least one team has recorded one in 9 of the last 10 El Salvador encounters and in six of USA’s last seven.
Another route into this contest would be getting the clean sheet on side. Just the one of El Salvador’s past nine encounters resulted in both teams scoring while the USA come into the clash having conceded once across their previous seven games – with that a consolation from the penalty spot in their 6-1 mauling of Martinique. Both Teams to Score (No) and USA Win To Nil are therefore appealing alternatives.
Best Betting Odds – El Salvador Vs USA
El Salvador – 5/1
Draw – 3/1
USA – 8/15
(All odds shown taken from Betfair)
