USA vs Guatemala Tips, Predictions and Bet Builder

United States are two wins away from an eighth Gold Cup success but will be wary of getting ahead of themselves as they shape up to take on Guatemala in a semi-final few saw coming.

The USMNT, 16th in the world rankings, were always expected to be at Energizer Park in St Louis and have duly obliged courtesy of a flawless group stage campaign and edgy penalty shootout success over Costa Rica in the quarters.

But not many would have had Guatemala - ranked 106 on that same list - down as their last-four opponents.

Yet Guatemala are here on merit, marking everyone's cards by beating Jamaica 1-0 in their first group game and then outlasting Canada in an against-all-odds shootout triumph in the quarter-finals which must have impressed the US camp.

USA vs Guatemala Tips Summary

Market	Tip	Odds
Match Result	Draw	9/2
Best Bet	Draw	9/2
Bet Builder	Oscar Santis 1+ shots, Over 9 corners, Even Number of Goals	15/4

Key Match Stats

• The USMNT have won 16 and lost only five of 27 previous meetings with Guatemala.

• The USA are unbeaten in four matches, scoring in all four.

• Guatemala have had 13 shots on target compared to the USA's 25.

• Oscar Santis (Gua) has had a tournament-high nine shots.

• The USA's Max Arfsten has had the tournament's most assists with three.

USA vs Guatemala Prediction

Best Bet: Draw @ 9/2

Guatemala are nothing if not gutsy and can do to the United States what they did to Canada in their semi-final showdown in St Louis.

The Central American outsiders defied the odds to get a 1-1 draw with Canada, helped no end by the Maple Leafs going down to nine outfield players when Jacob Shaffelburg was red-carded on the stroke of half-time.

But Canada couldn't get a shot on target away in the second period as Fernando Tena's supremely well-drilled unit kept their shape and their nerve, eventually going through in a shootout, roared on by a passionate crowd.

The US had a tougher assignment against Costa Rica in their last-eight outing and also needed penalties, with Matt Freese their hero, the goalie saving three Ticos efforts.

The fact is Mauricio Pochettino's men did just about enough to warrant progress continuing a largely underwhelming campaign which has also yielded the narrowest wins over Saudi Arabia and Haiti.

They could win this tidily enough. Equally, they don't look like 2/7 shots, so back Guatemala to hang tough once again and force this game past the 90.

Steve Davies explains:

They've beaten Jamaica, drawn with Canada and now have the USA in their sights and there is nothing in the form of either side to suggest Guatemala are going to crumble in St Louis.

USA vs Guatemala Bet Builder Tip

• Oscar Santis Over 0.5 Player Shots

• Over 9 corners

• Even number of match goals

  Pays 15/4

Guatemala will be doing more defending than attacking against the United States, but they are innovative going forward and Oscar Santis can get at least one effort away at Energizer Park.

Left-sided frontman Santis has had a Gold Cup-high nine shots so far and just one against the States will set up a potential Bet Builder success.

Look at match corners for the second leg. There were 13 corners in Guatemala's 1-1 draw with Canada and 11 in the US's 2-2 draw with Costa Rica. Expect over nine, therefore, in St Louis.

Finally, sign off with the game producing an even number of goals, which covers any draw or any two-goal win.

Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.

Steve Davies adds:

Oscar Santis is leading the shooting stakes and is buzzing after converting from the spot in the shootout win over Canada, while corners could also flow.

Read more football betting tips and predictions on site.

Tactics, Form and Team News

US boss Mauricio Pochettino had to do without midfielder Johnny Cardoso against Costa Rica because of an ankle injury, so is unlikely to split up the Tyler Adams-Luca de la Torre engine room, even if the Real Betis man is fit.

Assist king Max Arfsten is a potential weak link at left-back, so John Tolkin stands by in a position where Antonee Robinson is missed.

 Other big-name stars like Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna and Sergino Dest weren't in the squad and Haji Wright has limped out of it.

Expected USA line-up: (4-2-3-1) Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, Arfsten; Adams, De la Torre; Berhalter, Tillman, Luna; Agyemang.

Fernando Tena deployed a 4-3-3 line-up against Canada with Kenderson Navarra coming in for injured keeper Nicolas Hagen, who will miss the rest of the tournament.

Oscar Santis should keep his spot on the left for an improving Guatemala side, who have gone toe to toe with Panama in a narrow 1-0 loss, beaten a supposedly superior Jamaica as well as Guadeloupe and now held Canada to a draw.

Expected Guatemala line-up: (4-3-3) Navarra; Herrera, Pinto, Samayoa, Morales; Rosales, Munoz, Robles; Escobar, Rubin, Santis.

View the full market and more odds for USA vs Guatemala on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.