Playing out the final matchup in the 2015 Gold Cup group stages are Mexico and Cuba. Although Cuba are far from an impressive international football team, it will be fascinating to see the Cubans playing in a tournament that will be hosted in the USA.
Filling out the rest of group C are Guatemala and Trinidad & Tobago. Cuba could make a splash in the tournament by winning at the expense of those teams, but Mexico are clearly the superior team for this game.
Expectations
On the world stage, Mexico are ranked 23rd and Cuba are ranked 107th by Fifa in the global rankings. That is an enormous gap between the two teams, and not one that can be easily overcome by Cuba. Shock results do happen, but this is highly unlikely.
Mexico still have a number of familiar names ready to propel the team forward, and that will prove invaluable for the tournament because many of their players are still developing on the international stage. Mexico only claimed two points in the Copa America, but that was against superior opposition.
Guillermo Ochoa will likely line up in goals, with Francisco Javier Rodríguez and his 103 international caps providing reassurance in defence. Andrés Guardado provides the star power in midfield, having accumulated 115 caps as a 28-year-old. Giovanni dos Santos and Carlos Vela will then be expected to chip in with goals.
The Cuba squad plays entirely within their own country, which is they will have such a tough time at the Gold Cup. Yénier Márquez has 123 caps and 15 goals, but will struggle to make an impact at 36 years of age.
Match Tips
Tip one: Over 4.5 goals @ 2.62 with Betfair
Tip two: Mexico winning at half-time @ 1.33 with Betfair
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Backing Mexico to win will only return odds of 1.05 with Betfair, which is simply not worth claiming. In the starkest of comparisons, Cuba are available to win at 56.00. To get decent odds, you need to back over 2.5 goals at 2.62. A safer option is to back Mexico to be winning at half-time at 1.33.
