2015 Gold Cup Betting – Mexico vs. Costa Rica

Mexico (-125) vs. Costa Rica (+375), Draw (+240)

The most intriguing match in the 2015 Gold Cup quarterfinals sees two of the most disappointing teams from the Group Stage battling for a spot in the semifinals. Tomorrow, pre-tournament co-favorites Mexico will face 2014 World Cup darlings Costa Rica at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey (7:30 PM Eastern).

Both Mexico and Costa Rica failed to meet their lofty expectations so far, with Mexico looking porous on defense, at times, and the Ticos playing just plain flat during the Group Stage.

Despite their disappointing showings to date, both managed to qualify for the knockout phase of the tournament. Costa Rica qualified second in Group B, behind Jamaica, taking three points thanks to three draws (2-2 against Jamaica; 1-1 against El Salvador (1-1);  0-0 against Canada).

The Ticos haven’t played anywhere near the level they showed a year ago when they escaped the “group of death” and reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Much of the criticism is being heaped on new manager Paulo Cesar Wanchope, with his lack of experience being a central complaint.

Mexico doesn’t have much to be proud either at this point. Their only win in the Group Stage came against an undermanned Cuban squad (6-0). They drew with both Guatemala (0-0) and Trinidad and Tobago (4-4). Defensive miscues abounded in the latter game as Mexico surrendered four second-half tallies.

Like Wanchope, Mexican manager Miguel Herrera is being heavily criticized, and both managers need a win tomorrow to keep them off the hotseat. Whoever loses on Sunday is likely to be looking for a new job come Monday.

These two squads met just weeks ago in a preparation game, drawing 2-2. Costa Rica looked like the better side early, jumping out to a 2-0 lead. But they failed to capitalize on their chances, thereafter, and Mexico responded with two goals of their own. In the trends, Costa Rica haven’t lost to Mexico in three straight, overall, but Mexico have never lost to the Ticos at the Gold Cup. Look for the latter trend to continue and for Wanchope to be out of a job in the very near future.

Pick: Mexico (-125). 

(Photo credit: Marcello Casal Jr/Agência Brasil ([1]) [CC BY 3.0 br (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/br/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons. Photo has been cropped.)