All articles by: Jools Jordan-Probert

Canada vs Honduras – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Canada vs Honduras – Match Preview

Canada vs Honduras – Match Preview – Group A concludes as Canada take on Honduras at the Toyota Stadium, Frisco, in the knowledge that just a draw will secure passage to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2009.

The Canucks have been the surprise package so far at this year’s Gold Cup, easily dispatching French Guiana 4-2 in the opening match and then battling to earn a well-deserved 1-1 draw against 2014 World Cup quarter-finalists Costa Rica.

A major part of Canada’s success is down to breakout star Alphonso Davies, the 16-year-old became the first player born in 2000 or later to feature in MLS and has continued his rise to stardom by becoming the first player to hit three goals in the opening two matches in the 2017 Gold Cup.

Alphonso Davies Photo Credit: goal.com

Octavio Zambrano’s side currently sit at the top of Group A on four points, level with Costa Rica but ahead on goal difference. The two-time winners of this tournament (1985 and 2000) will be hoping to proceed in this vein of form and become real outside contenders for the crown.

1981 Gold Cup victors Honduras, conversely, have been one of the competition’s biggest disappointments. The Catrachos haven’t even scored a goal so far after dismal performances in firstly the 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica and secondly the 0-0 draw with French Guiana. Fortunately, Jorge Luis Pinto’s side were handed a 3-0 win by CONCACAF after French Guiana fielded an ineligible player, captain Florent Malouda who has represented France on 80 occasions, so had a forfeit imposed.

This takes Honduras fortuitously to 3rd and within one point off both Canada and Costa Rica going in to the final game, allowing any combination of two from the three sides to go through. So, it is all to play for thanks to divine, or in this case regulatory body, intervention.

Team News
The abovementioned Alphonso Davies was substituted after 69 minutes in the draw with Costa Rica amid concerns of an ankle injury, so may not be 100% and consequentially might have to settle for a spot on the bench – a big blow for Canada.

Honduras have no new injury concerns and will have a full squad to choose from in this crucial match.

 

Suggested Tips:

USA vs Panama – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on USA vs Panama – Match Preview

USA vs Panama – Match Preview- The United States kick-off their Gold Cup by facing Panama at the Nissan Stadium in Nashville, hoping to reclaim the crown from Mexico.

Hosts for every tournament since the Gold Cup’s inception in 1991, the United States have a level of expectation on their shoulders. The winner of this tournament faces the previous winner of this tournament in a play-off match to reach the Confederations Cup – a massive prize for teams in this competition.

This expectation is heightened based on the fact USMNT are one of only three teams to ever win the title (alongside Canada and Mexico) and only one of two to ever be victorious more than once (five times, with Mexico’s seven).

The Stars and Stripes are second favourites for this year’s edition behind arch-rivals Mexico, and Bruce Arena will be raring to capture his first title since his return as United States manager. His side face a tricky opening task to start in winning ways against overachievers Panama. In fact, this fixture is a repeat of the 2013 final – where USMNT came away with a 1-0 and the trophy.

Panama will not be taken lightly, and in fact have a rather incredible record in this competition in recent times relative to their population size and general footballing stature.

Los Canaleros have reached the quarter-finals or better in all 6 CONCACAF Gold Cups since 2005, and reached the semi-finals in each of the last three tournaments, finishing in third place in 2015 after a victory over the United States in the 3rd place play-off on penalty kicks. Also, as mentioned above Panama were runners-up (to the same opponents) in 2013 – an astounding achievement.

Ominously though, Los Canaleros have only ever beaten USMNT once in normal play, in the 2011 Gold Cup Group Stage. Could a shock be on the cards?

Dom Dwyer celebrates with team mate Acosta Photo Credit: The Canadian Press

Team News 
U.S soccer has one true wonderkid in its ranks at present, Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic. However, the highly-rated midfielder hasn’t been named in Bruce Arena’s squad so will rely on other creative forces such as Dax McCarty and Gyasi Zardes alongside new faces such as forward Dom Dwyer and uncapped Cristian Rolden. Familiar faces in the 23 include Erik Lichaj of Nottingham Forest and ex-Aston Villa and Middlesbrough goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Gabriel Gomez is Panama’s all time record appearance holder Photo Credit: MexSport

Panama’s team will be reliant on stalwarts such as all-time record appearance maker Gabriel Gomez in midfield (132 caps), Toronto’s Armando Cooper (86 caps) and San Jose Earthquakes’ Anibal Godoy (77 caps).

Full squads

United States:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (New York City FC)

DEFENDERS (8): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca, MEX), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest, ENG), Matt Miazga (Chelsea, ENG), Justin Morrow (Toronto FC), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna, MEX), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

MIDFIELDERS (9): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana, MEX), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana, MEX), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire), Chris Pontius (Philadelphia Union), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC), Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)

FORWARDS (3): Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Dom Dwyer (Sporting Kansas City), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC)

Panama:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jose Calderon (CD Marathon, HON); Orlando Mosquera (Tauro FC, PAN); Alex Rodriguez (San Francisco FC, PAN)

DEFENDERS (8): Roberto Chen (Deportivo Arabe Unido, PAN); Eric Davis (FC DAC 1904 DunajskA Streda, SVK); Fidel Escobar (Unattached); Roderick Miller (Atlético Nacional, COL); Michael Amir Murillo (New York Red Bulls, USA); Luis Ovalle (Unattached); Angel Patrick (Deportivo Arabe Unido, PAN); Jan Carlos Vargas (Tauro FC, PAN)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Edgar Yoel Barcenas (Cafetaleros de Tapachula, MEX); Miguel Camargo (New York City FC, USA); Armando Cooper (Toronto FC, CAN); Anibal Godoy (San Jose Earthquakes, USA); Gabriel Gomez (Atlético Bucaramanga, COL); Leslie Heraldez (Deportivo Arabe Unido, PAN); Josiel Nuñez (CD Plaza Amador, PAN); Valentin Pimentel (CD Plaza Amador, PAN)

FORWARDS (4): Abdiel Arroyo (Danubio FC, URU); Ricardo Clarke (Unattached); Ismael Diaz (FC Porto, POR); Gabriel Torres (FC Lausanne-Sport, SUI)

 

Suggested Tips:

New Zealand vs British & Irish Lions – 3rd Test – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on New Zealand vs British & Irish Lions – 3rd Test – Match Preview

New Zealand vs British & Irish Lions – 3rd Test – Match Preview – It all comes down to this. Perfectly poised at 1-1, Eden Park hosts the decisive test match. The British and Irish Lions are looking for a first series victory in New Zealand for 46 years.

After a first home defeat since 2009, The All Blacks are a caged beast eagerly awaiting the opportunity to strike, and The Lions will be ready to face the impending backlash.
This game has every possible ingredient for an absolute classic to unfold before our very eyes – The Lions either etch themselves into history or will go down with an almighty effort against one of sports’ greatest teams.

The story so far
1st Test: New Zealand 30-15 Lions

Eden Park, Auckland hosted the opener. In what was mostly a resilient defensive display, the Lions were unable to prevent the ruthless All Blacks, and in particular Rieko Ioane, from breaking down the door and sustaining an insurmountable lead – Ioane scoring twice on his first test start to complete a dominant display. A massive positive for Gatland’s side was the absolutely breath-taking try from a full-length-of-the-pitch pick up and run from Liam Williams that was brilliantly finished by Sean O’Brien.

2nd Test: New Zealand 21-24 Lions

Wellington witnessed the spectacular. A phenomenal performance and result that completely capsized the whitewash ship that everyone expected. The clinical edge was the missing factor in Auckland but it shone through in abundance in the second test. The victory was even more improbable considering The Lions conceded 10 penalties, a Beauden Barrett at his usual imperious self would have done better than the 7/10 he posted to put the series beyond doubt. The straight-red card given for Sonny Bill Williams’ reckless shoulder charge undoubtedly aided The Lions, but they took their opportunities when it mattered. Toby Faletau and Conor Murray’s excellent scores were partnered by ice-cold kicking from Owen Farrell to just battle over the line and deservedly hold out for the win.

Williams will miss the 3rd test due to suspension Photo Credit: skysports.com

This sets up the all-important 3rd and final test match back at Eden Park. Warren Gatland could become the first coach in Lions history to claim back-to-back series wins – an outstanding accomplishment if he were to do so against the double World Champions. Such a feat would undoubtedly elevate the New-Zealand born coach into the upper echelons of the game in history, as would be the case for most of the squad, just further highlighting the magnitude of this match and the importance of victory.
The All Blacks are not used to the taste of defeat, and neither is their coach Steve Hansen – perhaps making it even more bitter when it does happen.
A retaliation from the last test is inevitable, and an astounding game of rugby between the finest in the Northern hemisphere and the finest in the world will decide who shall emerge in glory.
Let battle commence.

Can the Lions defeat the All Blacks in a sensational tour win? Photo Credit: skysports.com

Team News
With Liam Williams passing a fitness test after some early concern, Gatland unsurprisingly names an unchanged side from the one that was victorious in Wellington. His controversial decision to name Johnny Sexton at fly-half and Owen Farrell at inside-centre was seemingly justified with the victory and he sticks with that concept.
The other change many thought might be made was the departure of Alun Wyn Jones, but the experienced Welsh lock will break the record for becoming the first player to play in every test in three consecutive Lions tours since the game became professional in 1995, a fantastic achievement.

Sonny Bill Williams will be sorely missed in the centre for The All Blacks through suspension, so Ngani Laumape will replace him at 12 with Malakai Fekitoa coming into the replacements.

Team Lineups

Lions: L Williams; A Watson, J Davies, O Farrell, E Daly, J Sexton, C Murray; M Vunipola, J George, T Furlong, M Itoje, AW Jones, S Warburton (cap), S O’Brien, T Faletau.

Replacements: K Owens, J McGrath, K Sinckler, C Lawes, CJ Stander, R Webb, B Te’o, J Nowell

 

All Blacks: J Barrett; I Dagg, A Lienert-Brown, N Laumape, J Savea, B Barrett, A Smith; J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, S Cane, K Read (cap).

Replacements: N Harris, W Crockett, C Faumuina, S Barrett, A Savea, TJ Perenara, A Cruden, M Fekitoa

Suggested Bets:

SkyBet @FootyAccums Specials – New Zealand -11 handicap, Israel Dagg to score a Try & a Yellow Card to be awarded & over 46.5 Points – 14/1 

SkyBet RequestABet Specials 33/1 to 66/1 – Both teams to score 2 or more tries in each half – 50/1

SkyBet RequestABet Specials 11/2 to 10/1 – Red Card to be shown in Match – 10/1

SkyBet Featured RequestABet – Owen Farrell to score a Try, a Yellow Card to be shown & Both teams to score 20+ points – 28/1

SkyBet RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – No Yellow Cards, No Successful Drop Goals & No Tries Scored – 80/1

SkyBet Match Trebles – Lions +11 Handicap, Over 47.5 Total Match Points & Anthony Watson to score a try anytime – 12/1