Honduras vs El Salvador
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Date: Wednesday, 26th June 2019
Kick off at 03:00 UK/ 04:00 CET
Venue: Banc of California Stadium (Los Angeles).
Honduras fought bravely in the opening match of their Gold Cup but lost 3-2 against Jamaica at Independence Park. Antony Lozano reduced the deficit to 2-1 and Rubilio Castillo scored the final consolation goal.
Los Catrachos then faced Curacao and somehow lost 1-0 at the Kompas BBVA Stadium. Honduras controlled the match with 63% ownership, had 24 shots with 13 on target and hit the post twice.
Manager Fabián Coito made two changes to his team including midfielder Héctor Castellanos who paved the way for Jorge vlvarez and striker Romell Quioto was replaced by Michaell Chirinos. Bryan Acosta has dropped off the bench twice and is an option to start with Rubilio Castillo.
Honduras has nothing to play but pride because they cannot reach the quarter-finals. Honduras is an outsider against Jamaica at 3.10, the odds are interesting while the draw can be supported at 3.20 and Honduras in the market a double chance to pay 1.57.
El Salvador Form & Team News
El Salvador almost reached their sixth Gold Cup quarter-final after a win and a draw in 2019. La Selecta was the better team against Curacao and won 1-0 thanks to Nelson Bonilla.
The 0-0 draw against Jamaica at the BBVA Kompas Stadium was followed by opportunities few and far between the two. El Salvador was under heavy pressure in the closing stages but held on for important points.
Manager Carlos de los Cobos made a change with winger Jaime Alás replaced by Juan Carlos Portillo. Playmaker Andrés Flores was connected in the first half against Jamaica in a tactical change that gave Gerson Mayé more stability.
Marvin Monterroza had come off the bench in both matches but de los Cobos could not have made many changes here. El Salvador based their game on solid defenses highlighted by keeping five clean sheets in their last six matches.
El Salvador can be supported to defeat Honduras at 2.50 with a pay draw of 3.20. Curacao is unlikely to beat Jamaica, so a draw is likely to be enough to reach the quarter-finals while defeat can also ensure progress.
Honduras vs El Salvador Head to Head
Honduras have a better record against El Salvador with a superiority of 26-14 and nine draws. However, El Salvador won the final match 1-0, a friendly match in June 2018 with Denis Pineda heading towards the winning goal.
Honduras vs El Salvador match
Honduras has a disappointing Gold Cup and will go home early. Manager Fabián Coito can make changes here to give out players who are younger and more experienced.
El Salvador has a number of players in their starting XI who trade for the Alianza Fútbol Club. They also have strength in key positions such as defensive midfielder Darwin Cerén, attacking midfielder Andrés Flores and striker Nelson Bonilla.
Honduras vs El Salvador Head to Head
Head to Head Last game Last games Last games home/away
Honduras Loss 12 W/ 5 D/ 3 L 6 W/ 2 D/ 2 L
El Salvador Win 3 W/ 5 D/ 12 L 2 W/ 2 D/ 6 L
Last match between countries: 03.06.2018 Honduras - El Salvador 0: 1; Denis Pineda 19 '
Last match on the land of Honduras: 03.06.2018 Honduras - El Salvador 0: 1; Denis Pineda 19 '
Worth mentioning: The two countries met last year in a friendly match and El Salvador won a win thanks to Denis Pineda's goal in the first round. Three of the five previous clashes between Honduras and El Salvador produced more than 2.5 goals because three saw both sides hit the back of the net. Only six of the last twenty matches between the two national teams produced more than 2.5 goals and six goals watched at both ends
PREDICTION
El Salvador has a tremendous opportunity to qualify for the quarter-finals at the Gold Cup for the fourth time since 2011. Even though they need one point to ensure, they can really pass the defeat if Jamaica beat Curacao. Honduras has a tournament that must be forgotten because successive defeats mean they are playing just for pride and it is difficult to know how motivated the players are in this match. This might not be a good match but El Salvador won't mind when they advance to the quarter-finals after a low-scoring meeting where the predicted results are a draw.