Jamaica v USA Betting Tip Draw HT/USA FT – 4 July 2019

Jamaica v USA
Thursday 4th July 0230hrs
Football – International – CONCACAF Gold Cup
Pick  Draw HT/USA FT
Bookmaker Marathon Bet
Odds: 33/10 (odds taken 21.15 GMT, Tuesday 2nd July)

Mexico have made it through to Sunday’s final as expected. Will USA, as the other major CONCACAF nation, join them? Or can Jamaica shock the hosts and progress?

CONCACAF Gold Cup Betting at Marathon Bet

Jamaica Preview – Can Jamaica reach their second CONCACAF Gold Cup final in succession?

Jamaica have become something of the perennial bridesmaids of the Gold Cup down the years. They have finished as runners-up in both 2015 and 2017, beaten by both Mexico and the USA, respectively. If they are to finally break their duck and go all this way this year, Jamaica will have to beat both those teams. There will certainly be plenty of confidence emanating from the Jamaican camp heading into their clash with the States. An important 3-2 win against Honduras opened proceedings before drawing their following two game against Curacao and El Salvador. That was enough to top their group and progress to the knockout phase where they were paired against Panama. It was a typically bruising encounter with little to split the teams. However, Jamaica came out on top and reached the last four for a third successive tournament.

USA Preview– Will holders USA move a game closer to retaining Gold Cup?

As the current holders and the second most successful nation in competition history, USA are always under scrutiny in the Gold Cup. That applies even more this time around due to their failure to qualify for the World Cup last summer. Gregg Berhalter was tasked with transforming the fortunes of an underperforming squad and this was his first test. To say it’s been overly impressive so far would be a stretch – but they are a game away from reaching another final. The group stage was negotiated extremely comfortably with three wins, scoring 11 and conceding none. It was against opposition they were expected to beat and they duly did. Finishing top of their section meant it was a quarter-final game against Curacao – a team whom they would be expected to beat handily.  That never quite transpired but a 1-0 win was sufficient.

Four games in and the USA are yet to concede a goal in the competition. Considering some of their mishaps and dire performances in World Cup qualification, it’s no surprise to see Berhalter – a former defender himself – building from the back. Can they maintain that solidity against a Jamaican side who carry a physical threat.

Jamaica v USA Betting Advice

Mexico await the winners of this tie and most will want USA to face them as it would bring together the two biggest nations to face off against each other. Jamaica will have something to say about that, though, and are a dangerous opponent who have grown in confidence throughout the tournament. They can also take great confidence from the fact that they overcame the States 1-0 in a friendly at the beginning of this month. That’s all the evidence USA need to know that they are going to be in for a very big test. Berhalter also knows his players will have to deal with the pressure of such an intense atmosphere where the expectation is on them to win.

USA’s squad contains a higher calibre of player than their opponents. That alone is not going to be enough to see them through. As proven with Haiti taking Mexico to extra-time in the other semi-final, these games come down to the finest of margins. Jamaica have shown they are capable in this competition will be well organised. It’s up to the holders and hosts to be able to combat that. Although they racked up 10 goals in their first couple of group games it’s been much tighter against Panama and Curacao. With Jamaica likely to sit and frustrate, USA may have to be patient.

A USA win and under 2.5 goals is tempting. The bet I like most, though, is for a draw at half time and USA to be winning at full time.