Grenada to leave it all on the pitch on matchday 1
The Gold Cup’s Group D gets started on Wednesday and my angle comes in the second game, with heavy favourites Honduras taking on Grenada. Qatar play Panama just before this, both of these sides will have half an eye on that one before refocusing their attention on this huge one. Honduras are enormously short on the market with hardworking Grenada expected to be lightwork, that may well materialise but with the talent in the underdogs ranks I think they can do themselves justice. The Spice Boys ranked 18th in terms of the Fifa rankings of CONCACAF nations whereas Honduras sit fifth, there is a gulf in class but there are no easy games in tournament football.
Background
38-year-old former Wigan Athletic and Hull City man Maynor Figueroa will lead the Hondurans out, since leaving England he has racked up 135 matches in MLS, still a decent level of football compared to the other players in this matchup. The FA Cup winner has moved inside and is now a specialist centre back where he was a flying left back earlier on in his career, his leadership and experience will be crucial in looking to steer Honduras into the knockout stages.
25-year-old winger Alberth Elis is the danger man, Michael Findlay and his staff will have spent time devising a plan for how to deal with the threat of the Boavista ace. Elis comes into the Gold Cup off the back of an excellent debut season in the Primeira Liga, scoring eight and assisting six playing all across a front three. An eye-catching spell at Houston Dynamo earned him the move to Europe for £1million in September 2020, he has 10 goals from 42 caps.
English Football League fans may be familiar with Shrewsbury Town’s Aaron Pierre and Oliver Norburn, with former Shrew Omar Beckles also in the squad, Ross County’s Regan Charles-Cook and Crawley Town’s Ricardo German will also get the chance to express themselves on the biggest stage of their careers.
Goals?
Hard to call, the goal line is quite short but not one I am willing to get involved with given the opening matchday unpredictability to the fixture. The two nations have not crossed paths since the 2011 edition of the competition.
- Honduras have scored in eight of ten.
- Honduras have conceded in seven of ten.
- Honduras have seen both teams score in six of ten.
- Honduras have seen over 2.5 goals in four of ten.
- Grenada have scored in six of ten.
- Grenada have conceded in six of ten.
- Grenada have seen both teams score in four of ten.
- Grenada have seen over 2.5 goals in four of ten.
Grenada can capture the imagination of CONCACAF fans and grind out a respectable result in this fixture. Deal with Elis and they are halfway there.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
4-0 Honduras. Late goals scupper our selection.