Mexico vs. Canada 7/29/21 CONCACAF Gold Cup Soccer Pick, Odds, and Prediction

Mexico and Canada are clashing at NRG Stadium in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Mexico is probably the best team in North and Central America, and they have been outstanding in this tournament, especially on the defensive end. Canada has improved a lot lately, and their only loss was against the USA in the last match of the group stage.

Mexico hasn’t scored a lot of goals in the group stage, only 4, but they have won this group with 7 points. In their quarterfinals match against Honduras, Mexico was the dominant team with an impressive 66% of ball possession, 6 shots on goal, 6 corner kicks, 3 big chances created, and a high 89% of the correct passes. Mexico has finished this game in the first half with 3 scored goals, and they have won this match 3-0. Funes Mori is the leading goalscorer for Mexico with 3 goals, while Pineda added 2 goals. There are a lot of good players in this Mexican team, and they are a well-balanced team. The good news for Mexico is that they still have a few great players from European teams available to them, and the best of those is Hector Herrera from Atletico Madrid. Mexico is still without a conceded goal in this tournament, and that surely brings them a lot of confidence ahead of this game, and it’s understandable why they are the favorites.

Canada has also been outstanding in this tournament, and they absolutely deserve to be in the semifinals. Canada has ended the group stage in second place with 6 points, just behind the USA, but they have been solid on both ends. Canada has scored 8 goals in the group stage, and Larin and Eustaquio have each scored 3 goals. Hoilett has added 2 goals. In their last match against Costa Rica, Canada has had 45% of ball possession, a solid 5 shots on goal, 9 corner kicks, 3 big chances created, and 77% of the correct passes. Canada was in total control of this game, and with 1 scored goal in each half, Canada has won this game 0-2. Canada is missing two of their best player, Jonathan David from Lille, and Alphonso Davies from Bayern, but that doesn’t mean Canada is not a talented and good team. Except in the quarterfinals, Canada has conceded a goal in each of their group stage matches, and the defense is their weakest part. Advancing to the Gold Cup finals would be a massive success for Canada, but this game is not going to be easy for them despite their good form.

Mexico and Canada have played 6 times in the past, and Mexico has won 5 games while 1 game ended in a draw. Mexico hasn’t lost in their last 7 games, and they are on a 3-game winning streak. Both teams are in solid form, but Mexico is much better defensively, and I think they will win this game because they are more experienced and consistent.