PNK Stadium, Miami.
No team has shown a good level of football in the semifinals of qualification for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The Cuban team is considered the undisputed favorite against French Guiana - should we expect any surprises during this match?
Cuba current form
The Cuban team did not make it past the group stage at the last CONCACAF Gold Cup, although it finished in the top 8 in 2013 and 2015. Most of the team's players now play abroad, but few have succeeded at a higher level. Norwich midfielder Onel Hernandez is the undisputed leader of the Cuban team. Hernandez has experience of playing in the English Premier League, and his team spent last season in the Championships. Jorge Corrales, who once played in the MLS for Chicago Fair and the Montreal Impact, plays an important role in the team. Of the young talent, 17-year-old forward Dairon Reyes, who is a graduate of Inter Miami's academy, is worth mentioning.
In the qualifying tournament for the 2022 World Cup, the Cuban team fought remarkably well but did not reach the next stage. In four games, Pablo Sanchez's men scored two victories and lost twice by a narrow margin to Curacao (1-2) and Guatemala (0-1). In their last match, the Cubans beat St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1-0 on the road. By halftime, the Cuban team could score 3 goals, but the opponent's goalkeeper saved several times, and in one of the chances the ball hit the crossbar. Despite this, the team continued to attack, and Michael Reyes still put it ahead. Ariel Hernandez, Asmel Núñez, and Onel Hernandez each missed a good chance, so the team looked very confident overall.
French Guiana current form
The French Guiana team does not play in tournaments under the auspices of FIFA, and in the last 30 years, it has only reached the final part of the Gold Cup once. That was in 2017 when the team lost all 3 group stage matches. Most of the national team's players play in France, and some have experience playing in the Ligue 1. Sloan Privat has played 163 games in the top division and now plays in the Third Division. In 5 games for the French Guiana team, he has distinguished himself 7 times. The key defensive player is Ludovic Baal, who played 7 games in the Brest uniform last season.
Thierry De Neef's team has won only once in its last five matches, with its last match being in November 2019. Then the team of French Guiana defeated St. Kitts and Nevis - 3-1. The Guyanese missed the 1st in the 11th minute, but by halftime, they had already taken the lead thanks to a double by Jesse Marigar. With a score of 3-1, the team nearly missed their second goal, but a defender cleared the ball from the goal line at the last moment.
Prediction and bets for the match Cuba vs French Guiana
The last matches between the teams of Cuba and French Guiana were spectacular, although the Cubans scored only 1 goal. This time it will be more difficult for them, yet the general level of Guianian players is at least closer to the professional level than the players from St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The visitors know how to create chances, and the same Sloan Privat is very dangerous. However, there are problems in defense, and the French Guiana national team will hardly be able to score. I suggest betting on the following outcomes:
- W1 for 1.42;
- Both Teams To Score - No for 1.87;
- Total Match Goals Over 1.5 Goals for 1.22.