USA v Jamaica Betting Tips: Caribbean side can give hosts something to think about

Another of this summer’s tournaments is just about ready to end; of the teams that started this competition, it is just USA and Jamaica left. As the host nation, the USA contingent were expected to lay down a big challenge, despite manager Bruce Arena not selecting the strongest possible squad. However, even though they’ve eventually made the final, performances have been questionable and it is only really because of the reinforcements called for after stumbling through the groups that they’ve made the last two. In contrast, Jamaica have exceeded expectations in reaching the final and, in knocking out the holders last time out, have played some pleasing football along the way.

Considering that their performances have been far from flawless, it’s surprising that USA have been quoted as 8/15 favourites ahead of this one. Jamaica have proved that they’re no pushovers and they’ll definitely fancy their chances of causing an upset here. The two bets that stand out ahead of this contest are ‘Both Teams to Score’ and ‘Jamaica to Score Over 0.5 Goals’ at 17/11 and 6/5 respectively. At the odds available, both of these selections look somewhat overpriced.

Problems have certainly been there for USA at this tournament and their presence in the final, having stuttered from the very start, never really looked guaranteed. However, they have made it here regardless and will be confident of overcoming one last hurdle. In truth, most of their problems have been of a defensive nature while they’ve actually acquitted themselves well going forward. Despite some below par showings during the group stages, USA still managed to score seven goals, notching in all three of their matches and they’ve carried such scoring form with them into the knockouts, scoring twice in both their quarter-final and semi-final wins over El Salvador and Costa Rica respectively.

The decision to add both Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore to the squad after the group stages was duly vindicated last time out as both players got themselves on the score-sheet. Dempsey in particular was instrumental in assisting the first and scoring the second. With such a player in their squad, combined with the fact that they’ve already scored 11 times at this tournament, they really ought to be scoring here. However, could you really fancy them to do so without conceding? Bruce Arena’s men may well have kept a clean sheet in both the quarter-final and semi-final but this was largely down to the inaccuracy of their opponents in front of goal. El Salvador missed a golden chance to get on the score-sheet during the quarters while Costa Rica could very easily have been 2-0 up before USA scored last time out had striker Marco Urena had his shooting boots on. Additionally, in conceding three times during the group stages, they looked very shaky. Against a pacey Jamaican forward-line that has only failed to score once in five matches at this tournament so far, it’s easy to see USA conceding at least once.

As touched on above, the Jamaicans have performed well in America this summer; they’ve looked to get forward plenty (and with purpose) and have been entertaining to watch. Defensively, they’ve not been great but, in all honesty, they’ve been no worse at the back than USA have. As we saw against Canada in the quarters, against attacking teams, they’re well set up to hit on the counter and can do so to good effect. It’s hard to imagine USA sitting back here and so the counter could once again be a viable route to goal. Both Darren Mattocks and Romario Williams offer great speed up front while they’re also not short of blistering pace out wide. Such assets really could prove a threat on the break, much as they have done throughout this tournament.

Although finals are often tense affairs, this could be a fairly open game, where both sides attempt to get forward plenty. There’s reason to think that both can get on the score-sheet and there’s definitely reason to think that Jamaica can get far more competitive than their price-tag suggests.

More tips can be found here.