Prediction: Jamaica vs USA

Verdict: USA win.

Best odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Bet365

Jamaica will take on the United States of America in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal on Wednesday at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Jamaica

Jamaica topped Group C of the tournament with five points, having beaten Honduras (3-2) in the opening round before drawing with El Salvador (0-0) and Curacao (1-1). Then they beat Panama 1-0 in the quarterfinals which means they are now on a five-game unbeaten run, and here they are, one step from reaching the final. That step, however, will need to go through the defending champions.

Team News

Head coach Theodore Whitmore made a few changes to his team for the last group game against Curacao, but in the quarterfinal against Panama he reverted to the team that started the tournament in a winning way. He isn’t expected to make many changes now, faced with one of the tournament’s favourites.

Midfielders Michael Hector and Junior Flemmings are set ti continue in the middle of the park, with Leon Bailey and Dever Orgill on the attacking flanks. However, after coming in off the bench and settling the Panama game with a penalty, Darren Mattocks may start this time ahead of Shamar Nicholson upfornt.

USA

Jamaica certainly won’t have it easy in this game. The Americans have won all four of their games in the tournament so far, and they did it without conceding a single goal. They did allow Curacao to dominate for most of their quarterfinal clash, but their immense experience was enough to see them preserve their first-half lead and go through. Should they beat Jamaica and win the subsequent final too, they will equal Mexico by winning their seventh Golden Cup trophy.

Team News

Much like his opponent, USA head coach Gregg Berhalter has been known to wring changes in his team during the course of the tournament. The first two games (a 4-0 win over Guayana and a 6-0 thrashing of Trinidad and Tobago) featured the same starting line-up, but the third (1-0) over Panama, saw Berhalter make 11 changes. Then he reverted to the strongest line-up for the quarterfinal against Curacao, and he’s expected to do the same again.

Conclusion

Surprises are always possible in any sport, but at the moment, it’s hard to imagine Jamaica stopping the title defenders a step ahead of the final. The quality and experience of this USA team is clearly very difficult to contend with for any side in the tournament.

Verdict: USA win.

Best odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Bet365