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Kick-off: July 15 @ 6.00 pm EST
Venue: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Past meetings
Guatemala v Cuba 1-0 (International friendly)
Guatemala v Cuba 1-1 (1990 World Cup qualifier)
Cuba v Guatemala 0-1 (1990 World Cup qualifier)
Cuba
Last 5 matches:
Jamaica v Cuba 3-0 (International friendly)
Curacao v Cuba 0-0 (2018 World Cup qualifier)
Cuba v Curacao 1-1 (2018 World Cup qualifier)
Mexico v Cuba 6-0 (2015 Gold Cup)
Trinidad v Cuba 2-0 (2015 Gold Cup)
Team News:
Cuba are all but eliminated from the competition after suffering two big defeats, and not even a win over Guatemala in the final group game would guarantee them a place in the 2015 Gold Cup quarter-final.
After striker Keiler Garcia (5/0) defected to the United States, Arael Arguellez (1/0) attempted to do the same, and even though he was eventually found in Miami, the player is unlikely to take part in the final game.
Players to watch: Maykel Reyes, Ariel Martinez.
Probable starting line-up (4-3-1-2): D. Guerra – Vaquero, Diz, Marquez, Napoles – Luis, Clavelo, Gomez – Cervantes – Martinez, Reyes.
Guatemala
Last 5 matches:
Guatemala v Bermuda 0-0 (2018 World Cup qualifier)
Bermuda v Guatemala 0-1 (2018 World Cup qualifier)
USA v Guatemala 4-0 (International friendly)
Trinidad v Guatemala 3-1 (2015 Gold Cup)
Guatemala v Mexico 0-0 (2015 Gold Cup)
Team News:
The excellent defensive performance helped ten-man Guatemala secure an invaluable point against tournament favourites Mexico, meaning that any win over minnows Cuba would see them qualify for the last eight.
The problem is that key midfielder Jose Manuel Contreras (63/5) is suspended after he was sent off in Arizona, while midfielder Kendel Herrarte (14/0) remains injury doubt. Chances are that star player Marco Pappa (49/10) will return to the starting line-up.
Players to watch: Carlos Ruiz, Marco Pappa.
Probable starting line-up (3-4-1-2): Motta – Lalin, Vasquez, Morales – D. Lopez, de Leon, Aparicio, Cincotta – Pappa – Ruiz, M. Lopez.
Cuba v Guatemala betting odds & picks
*Seeing as Guatemala showed a great deal of potential against Mexico and Cuba largely struggling at the tournament, away win looks a banker at 1.42 (21/50).
*Los Chapines will probably attempt to start the game strongly, so bear in mind that Guatemala is 1.92 (23/25) to lead at half-time.
*Given the difference in quality between the two sides, odds of 2.18 (13/11) offered on Guatemala to win by two goals or more are quite tempting.
