USA vs. Guatemala: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT side may be without a host of top stars for this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup, but the hosts are 90 minutes away from the final, with minnows Guatemala standing in their way.

Both sides needed penalty shootouts to emerge from testing quarterfinal assignments and they'll be eager to get through this tie in St. Louis with some added breathing room.

The promise of facing Honduras or Mexico in Sunday's final awaits and the USMNT are well placed to secure their spot.

USA vs. Guatemala betting picks and predictions

USA - Half Time/Full Time (-120)

The quarter-final against Costa Rica didn't exactly run to script for Pochettino and his side.

They conceded an early penalty in Minneapolis, missed a spot-kick of their own and, after taking the lead with quick-fire goals either side of half-time, were pegged back in the final quarter of a topsy-turvy 2-2 draw.

Only the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup will merit extra-time, so it was straight to the lottery of a penalty shootout.

Sebastian Berhalter and John Tolkin both failed from 12 yards, but three saves from Matt Freese allowed the US to progress.

Guatemala also came through on penalties against Canada, springing a shock.

The Maple Leafs had control with a 1-0 lead before Jacob Shaffelburg earned two yellow cards near the end of the first half to leave his side a man short for the entirety of the second half.

Rubio Rubin levelled matters as Guatemala dominated with 70 per cent possession in the second half against 10 men and then prevailed 6-5 in the shootout.

They have, however, lost four of their last five meetings with the United States, conceding 17 goals in the process and Pochettino's team can forge a first-half advantage en route to winning in 90 minutes.

Diego Luna over 1.5 shots on target (+225)

Real Salt Lake's Diego Luna is seizing his chance to shine this summer. The 21-year-old has started three of the USA's four games in the tournament and has three goal involvements.

He set up a brace in the 5-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago and found the net for the crucial leveller against Costa Rica in the last-eight.

The pacey wide man will be boosted by having scored his first international goal and, in a contest where the hosts are expected to dominate the ball, he is a decent option to fire at least two shots on goal in this semi-final.

Over nine corners (-110)

The USA have played four games so far and three of those have gone into double figures for corners.

They came in the wins over Trinidad & Tobago (13), Haiti (11) and Costa Rica (11), while the dull 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia yielded just six.

Guatemala's previous two games have featured 13 corners each and with the hosts likely to dominate the ball in St. Louis and put the Guatemalan defence under pressure, which could help the corner count rise from early on.

Double figures has been the recent trend for both these teams and it can continue in their semi-final showdown.

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USA vs. Guatemala odds

USA	-350
Tie	+425
Guatemala	+900

USA vs. Guatemala player props

Anytime goalscorer

Brian White (USA)	+100
Patrick Agyemang (USA)	+100
Damion Downs (USA)	+130
Oscar Santis (Guatemala)	+425
Darwin Lom (Guatemala)	+450
Rubio Rubin (Guatemala)	+550

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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.