Martinique Vs USA
Martinique Vs USA Friday 16 July, 2021 – 02:30
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Pick: Over 3.5 Goals
Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Betfair
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 13 July 2021)
Preview: Second favourites to lift the trophy on 1 August, USA rather eased through their opening match but hinted at more to come. Next up for this inexperienced USMNT is a first meeting for four years with Gold Cup goal magnets Martinique.
CONCACAF Gold Cu Betting at Betfair
Table of Contents
Martinique – Goals usually flow at the Gold Cup?
For a brief period in their opening contest with Canada, the tournament’s first upset looked as though it was on the cards. Former Newcastle United forward Emmanuel Riviere scrambled home his first Gold Cup goal to give Martinique a surprise early lead inside ten minutes, only for normal service to resume moments later when the Canucks struck not once, not twice, but three times before the half hour mark.
Martinique competed well enough in the second period but still had an error left in them, giving up a fourth goal late on to lose 4-1 in Kansas City. It was the sort of outcome many had anticipated, but leaves them staring at the prospect of a sixth group stage exit in seven Gold Cups unless they can achieve something they have never previously managed before. That being a positive result against the USMNT.
Interestingly, after their opening game brought about five goals, each of the past five Gold Cup matches involving Les Matinino have seen a minimum of three goals. It was also their fourth Gold Cup game in five conceding at least three times (W1 L4) – among them a 3-2 scoreline in a spirited defeat to the USA in 2017. On that evidence, we could be in for another goal-laden renewal.
USA – Positive start but plenty of scope for improvement?
Unlike in the last Gold Cup, when a 4-0 win against Guyana was an early statement of their intent, the USA were a little more understated first time out. A lot more understated, in fact. Any assumption Sam Vines’ early strike in the eighth minute would prise open the floodgates were very premature indeed, the full-back notching what proved to be the only goal in a modest win over Haiti in Kansas City.
With that 1-0 scoreline, though, the USMNT would stretch their streak of consecutive wins without conceding a goal to five in Gold Cup group stage play. The last opposing team to breach them? Martinique, who gave them an almighty shock when levelling at 2-2 from 2-0 down at the 2017 tournament. USA ground out the win on that occasion, but it will serve as a stark reminder as to pitfalls of complacency.
We should probably stress that this isn’t the strongest squad available to Gregg Berhalter, who is likely to tinker with personnel throughout. They were certainly less potent in that opening outing, though still dominated with the ball (63%). They also created enough decent scoring opportunities to merit a wider margin of victory. On another day, possibly Friday, they win by a couple more.
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Martinique Vs USA Betting Advice
With their 1-0 victory over Haiti in their opening game of the tournament, the USA have now won all of their past five Gold Cup matches without allowing a single goal. Five consecutive group stage victories to nil. As impressive as that run undoubtedly is, I expect it to come to an end soon – if not here against Martinique, who lost their opener 4-1 to Canada, then to the Canadians in the final game of the group.
Martinique Vs USA – Key Facts:
- The United States and Martinique are meeting for a third time at the Gold Cup. USA won both previous meetings, though very nearly squandered a two goal lead in the most recent of them – a 3-2 group stage win in 2017.
- All of Martinique‘s previous six Gold Cup matches have seen three or more goals, conceding at least three times on five occasions during these games.
- USA‘s last five Gold Cup wins during the group phase have all been ‘to nil’, a run which begun immediately after that aforementioned 3-2 victory against Martinique.
Either way, I expect goals. Each of Martinique’s last six Gold Cup matches have produced a minimum of three match goals, with four seeing four or more scored. Les Matinino were also the last country to score past the United States in a Gold Cup group stage, doing so twice in a 3-2 loss back in 2017. Meanwhile, Over 3.5 Goals returned a winning bet in three out of USA’s last six Gold Cup group games.
Best Betting Odds – Martinique Vs USA
Martinique – 33/1
Draw – 17/2
USA – 1/20
(All odds shown taken from Betfair)
