GROUP B at the CONCACAF Gold Cup concludes in the early hours of Wednesday as Canada and Costa Rica meet in a crucial showdown from Toronto. Mark O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) shares his betting thoughts.
Canada v Costa Rica | Wednesday 01.30 | ESPN
Late goals cost both Canada and Costa Rica badly in their last CONCACAF Gold Cup outings and now the two nations meet in what could be claimed a winner-takes-all showdown in Toronto. With Jamaica playing El Salvador in the early game, both sides will know exactly what they need in terms of results by the time their game kicks-off.
For Canada, all talk of progression has been halted after two disappointingly blunt displays. Starlet Cyle Larin missed an open goal against El Salvador in their drawn opener before Tosaint Ricketts flopped when one-on-one in the first-half of their defeat to Jamaica in Houston.
Benito Floro’s men are being criticised by Canucks fans for their lack of adventure and although Les Rouges remain alive in their quest for the knockout stages, a change of tactics is surely required to realise their quarter-final dreams. Another failure in front of goal will see them exit early.
Costa Rica are also picking up the pieces of a les than satisfactory campaign thus far. Like Floro, Ticos head Paolo Wanchope has endured a frustrating tournament, throwing away points against El Salvador and Jamaica and it means last year’s World Cup surprise package are likely to require three points to reach the last eight with a top-two finish in Group B.
I’ve said plenty of times now, the current Costa Rica side just aren’t the same in personnel and style as what we saw 12 months ago. This is highlighted by their defensive record – a whopping nine of the Ticos previous 11 matches have seen Both Teams To Score punters collect and so rather than trust either nation to produce the goods, I’d be swayed more towards another BTTS play. Coral have made Both Teams To Score a 6/4 shot and that seems more than fair.
Best Bets
Canada v Costa Rica – Both Teams To Score (6/4 Coral)
