Group D of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup opens on Tuesday, the last group to get underway. The second game of the day features Guatemala, ranked 116 in the world, against Cuba, ranked 165. These teams last met in the Gold Cup in 2013, a win for Cuba, though Guatemala snagged a 1-0 win in a 2022 friendly.
This game adds importance as both teams will also face group favorites Canada on the Gold Cup schedule. With two teams advancing to the quarterfinals from each group, a loss here could is likely a decisive blow to either side. Before making a Guatemala vs Cuba prediction, let’s take a look at both squads.
Guatemala vs. Cuba Information
Guatemala vs Cuba
Location of the game: DRV PNK Stadium. Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Date & Time: Tuesday, June 28. 8:45 pm ET.
How to Watch: FS1
Recent Scores
Guatemala is 3-3-1 so far in 2023 with wins over Belize, French Guiana, and Costa Rica. They lost to Mexico, Venezuela, and Trinidad and Tobago while drawing Panama. In those seven games, they have scored eight goals and allowed six.
Cuba has played less in 2023, going 2-2, and they have only played six games in the last 10 months. They beat Barbados and Guadeloupe in the Nations League before losing friendlies to Chile and Uruguay. They have been outscored 5-2 in 2023.
Guatemala
Guatemala lost to Venezuela 1-0 in a Gold Cup warmup on June 18 in Connecticut. They also beat Costa Rica 1-0 three days earlier in California. That game has a big impact on soccer odds predictions, as Costa Rica played in the 2022 World Cup.
Cuba
Cuba went to South America to warm up for the Gold Cup. They lost 3-0 at Chile on June 11 and 2-0 at Uruguay on June 20, which were predictable soccer picks.
Guatemala vs. Cuba Betting Preview
Guatemala Preview
Looking at past CONCACAF Gold Cup schedules, Guatemala has played in the CONCACAF Championships 20 times and this is their 12th Gold Cup. They won it all in 1961 and last reached the semifinals in 1996, finishing fourth. They didn’t make it out of the group stage in 2021 with a draw and two losses.
Their top goal-scorer is midfielder Alejandro Galindo, who has six career goals in 36 games, while Carlos Mejia has five goals in 37 appearances. Striker Rubio Rubin, who is having a great season for MLS side Real Salt Lake, has three goals in eight career appearances for Guatemala.
Ricardo Jerez will be in goal and he leads Guatemala with 61 career caps. Manager Luis Fernando Tena has Gold Cup experience as an assistant at Mexico and led Guatemala to two Nations League wins earlier this year.
Cuba Preview
This is Cuba’s 10th Gold Cup appearance and their best result was a fourth-place finish in 1971. They have reached the quarterfinals three times since 2003 and reaching the knockout stage would be a massive success in 2023.
Cuba’s success in the group stage will rest on their attack with both Luis Paradela and captain Aricheell Hernandez playing in form. Paradela has three assists and two goals in the last six games, while Hernandez has four goals in that span. Maikel Reyes has eight career goals in 39 games, tied with Paradela for the team lead.
Cuba did not qualify for the Gold Cup in 2021. In 2019, they were dead last in their group with 7-0 losses to both Canada and Mexico, plus a 3-0 loss to Martinique.
Guatemala vs. Cuba Odds Breakdown
Checking the soccer odds, Guatemala are the favorites at -230 on the moneyline. If you like Cuba in a Guatemala vs Cuba prediction, they are available at +700 on the moneyline.
A draw is +340 in this Group D opener.
Guatemala vs. Cuba Pick and Prediction
Guatemala have more experience in this game and they have better results against higher-quality competition over the last year. They also have a more experienced coach and can take a big step toward the knockout stage with a win in Florida on Tuesday.
The overall Guatemala vs Cuba prediction is to ride with the experience and pick Guatemala to win.
- Final Score Prediction: Guatemala 2, Cuba 0
- Pick: Guatemala -230 ML, Under 2.5 goals -165.
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