World Cup Qualifying betting odds lines picks predictions best bets

Costa Rica vs. USA odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Costa Rica vs. USA odds and lines, with CONCACAF World Cup qualifying picks and predictions.

Team USA (7 wins, 2 losses, 4 draws) visits the National Stadium of Costa Rica Wednesday to take on Costa Rica (6-3-4) in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:05 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Costa Rica vs. USA odds and lines, and make our best World Cup bets, picks and predictions.

Both teams are in a good position to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

USA enters the match after a 0-0 draw March 24 against Mexico in Mexico City and a 5-1 victory Sunday over Panama behind a hat trick by F Christian Pulisic. It is riding a four-match unbeaten streak in World Cup qualifying. USA has scored 21 and allowed 8 goals in its 13 matches.

Costa Rica plays a slow game with a dominating defense as well. It has allowed just 8 goals, but scored a mere 11. However, it is riding a 3-game World Cup qualifying winning streak and will be at home.

With a win, Costa Rica will pull into a 3-way tie with the USA and Mexico, one that can only be broken if Mexico loses to El Salvador. With goal difference then mattering, the USA is safe from the 4th spot in CONCACAF, which goes for a playoff, unless it loses to Costa Rica by 6 goals.

Costa Rica vs. USA: Odds, picks and predictions

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:05 a.m ET.

Money line: Costa Rica +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | USA +127 (bet $100 to win $127) | Draw +205 (bet $100 to win $205)
Over/Under: 2.5 (O: +145 | U: -180)

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Prediction

Costa Rica 1, USMNT 1

Money line (ML)

LEAN to the DRAW (+205).

Costa Rica hasn’t lost in 3 straight games and is playing quality soccer. Its last loss was 1-0 to Canada on Nov. 31.

In its last 4 road matches, the USA has drawn twice and lost twice, not giving bettors much confidence in the road side despite Sunday’s electric win over Panama.

Also, the USA basically has a World Cup spot locked up, so players like Pulisic may not see a third straight game of high-volume minutes. Given the USA’s struggles on the road and Costa Rica’s recent dominance, I’ll take the draw in this battle.

Over/Under (O/U)

PASS.

The Under 2.5 is the best play here, but it’s far too juiced at -180 to really consider, especially as both sides are coming off a match in which the Over 2.5 would have hit.

With that in mind, play BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE at +110 as my best bet. While Costa Rica doesn’t have a thriving attack, it has scored in its last 3 games and will be at home.

As for the US, it’s bringing an A squad captained by Pulisic and M Gio Reyna, who could lead the team’s midfield. USA has scored in 7 of its last 9 qualifying matches.

I expect both to score in this one.

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USA vs. Panama odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s USA vs. Panama odds and lines, with World Cup qualifying picks and predictions.

In Sunday soccer action, USA (6 wins, 2 losses, 4 draws) welcomes Panama (5-4-3) to Exploria Stadium in Orlando for the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (on FS1). Below, we preview the USA vs. Panama odds and lines, and make our best World Cup bets, picks and predictions.

The United States drew Mexico 0-0 Thursday despite several chances in the final third. Star F Christian Pulisic started the match and had the best opportunity of the game, failing to convert in front of goal.

The US ended with 9 shots, 4 on target, while Mexico has 11 shots and 2 on target. The US now welcome Panama. A win will seal the USMNT’s Qatar World Cup bid.

Panama beat USA 1-0 in Central America on October 21, 2021. Panama had 8 shots and 4 on target, holding the US to just 5 shots and none on target.

Panama sits fifth on the CONCACAF table with 18 points and desperately needs some points as Costa Rica is fourth with 19 points. Panama drew Honduras 1-1 Thursday.

USA vs. Panama: Odds, picks and predictions

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 10:32 p.m. ET.

Money line: USA -230 (bet $230 to win $100) | Panama +670 (bet $100 to win $670) | Draw +350
Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -105 | U: -120)

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Prediction

USA 1, Panama 0

Money line (ML)

PASS.

The United States (-230) is the better team, but the money line price is too expensive to bet USA outright. Typically, when I pass on a money line value, I like to look at whether or not both teams will score.

Considering the last game between these two teams had just 4 shots on target, I would bet against an abundance of opportunity. However, the BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE “NO” is priced at -165.

I’d rather play the straight-up Under as the best bet.

That said, D Sergiño Dest, M Gio Reyna and Pulisic all missed that October match. The latter two should see a hefty amount of minutes as the USMNT looks to lock up its spot in the World Cup.

Over/Under (O/U)

BET the UNDER 2.5 (-120).

The United States managed good attempts against Mexico but failed to convert any. In 12 World Cup qualifying matches, USA has scored 16 goals and given up just 7.

Panama has scored 15 and allowed 14 in its 12 matches. The US is 1-6 O/U in its last 7 international matches across all competitions. Panama is 1-4 O/U of 2.5 total in its last 5 matches.

Considering those records and how well the US has defended in the qualifying rounds, I’ll take the Under, especially as both teams are coming off a game Thursday and have another Wednesday.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

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Mexico vs. USA odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Mexico vs. USA odds and lines, with MLS picks and predictions.

On Thursday, USA (6 wins, 2 losses, 3 draws) visits Estadio Azteca in Mexico City to take on Mexico (6-2-3) in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers. Kickoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Mexico vs. USA odds and lines, and make our best World Cup bets, picks and predictions.

Both teams are in a good position to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

While each has totaled 21 points and sit second (USA has a leg up on goal differential) in CONCACAF behind Canada, they’ve managed those in different ways.

The USA has scored 16 and allowed 7 while Mexico has scored 14 and allowed 8. The result has been a tie the last two times these national teams met in Mexico, with a 1-1 draw in 2017 and 0-0 clean slate in 2013.

The United States beat Mexico 2-0 in their first battle Nov. 12. That game was played at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. USA had 18 shots with 5 on target and 49% possession while Mexico totaled 8 shots, 4 on target and 51% possession.

Mexico vs. USA: Odds, picks and predictions

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at noon ET.

Money line: Mexico -107 (bet $107 to win $100) | USA +350 (bet $100 to win $350) | Draw +220
Over/Under: 2.5 (O: +145 | U: -180)

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Prediction

Mexico 1, USMNT 1

Money line (ML)

LEAN to the DRAW (+220).

The USMNT is going to be bringing its A team to hopefully seal up its bid for the World Cup. However, while it did bring F Christian Pulisic, key M Weston McKennie will be out with injury.

With a game against Panama on March 27 and then Costa Rica on the 30th, I’m not sold that coach Gregg Berhalter is going to force his best lineup into playing a full 90 minutes.

Mexico, on the other hand, rarely gets the United States at home, so I expect its top team to take the pitch.

However, Mexico has yet to beat either the USA or Canada in World Cup Qualifying, so taking it at -107 could allow for unneeded risk given the reward.

I’d play the DRAW (+220) given both the last results in Mexico have that way.

Over/Under (O/U)

LEAN to the UNDER 2.5 (-180).

There isn’t a best bet in this game, and it’s solely because of the value on this total.

Mexico’s last two WC qualifying games, and four of its last six games, have gone under 2.5 goals.

It’s not like the United States has had goal-heavy games either as five of its last six have also gone under 2.5 goals.

As for the rivalry, its last four Gold Cup or WC Qualifying matches have gone under 2.5 goals and the last two times the USA has traveled to Mexico the results have been both a draw and under 2.5 goals.

I’ll take the UNDER 2.5 (-180) given that the absence of McKennie could limit USMNT’s ability to transition, although it’s just for a lean given the price you have to pay for it.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

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World Cup Qualifying: Honduras vs. USA odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Wednesday’s Honduras vs. USA odds and lines, with CONCACAF World Cup qualifying picks and predictions.

In the third match of the final round of 2022 World Cup Qualifying for both teams, USA takes on Honduras Wednesday. The match is slated to start at 10:30 p.m. ET at Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Below, we preview the Honduras vs. USA odds and lines, and make our best World Cup qualifying bets, picks and predictions.

This will be the USA’s second road match, having disappointingly tied Canada 1-1 at home Sunday.

After going up 1-0 early in the second half, the Americans allowed a nice Canadian cross across the middle to find the back of the net. In the first match of the final round, the USA traveled and drew El Salvador 0-0.

The US has two draws in the final round, as does Honduras. Both sides plus Canada and El Salvador are the four that have drawn both of their first two matches. Honduras drew both El Salvador and Canada as well.

Honduras vs. USA: Odds, picks and predictions

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:50 a.m. ET.

Money line: Honduras +350 (bet $100 to win $350) | USA -122 (bet $122 to win $100) | Draw +215
Over/Under: 2.5 (O: +125 | U: -180)

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Prediction

USA 1, Honduras 1

Money line (ML)

“LEAN” to the DRAW (+215) as the best value on the money line. Both sides have played the same competition and while USA drew Canada, it did so without M Gio Reyna and M Weston McKennie.

The Americans needed that win and truly didn’t deserve it. McKennie was dismissed, and now D Sergiño Dest may be out as well as he left against Canada due to an ankle injury.

There’s no reason to believe USA can come out and win this game despite F Christian Pulisic in for the side recently placed in the top-10 of FIFA’s international rankings.

USA is the better side, but it hasn’t shown that lately.

Over/Under (O/U)

“LEAN” to the UNDER 2.5 (-180) as the better value is on the money line. Typically, I’d like the full unit bet, but I’d still only go for a half unit as the price is steep.

In the four games combined for the two sides, only 4 goals have been scored. Both teams had a scoreless match in the last week, so it’s entirely possible this one doesn’t see a single goal.

USA clearly struggled to create chances, and without key midfielders, it may once again fail to move the ball. As for Honduras, behind FC Dallas M Bryan Acosta, it has played up to its level of competition.

Given how both teams have played lately, the Under is the better bet, but the price makes me hesitant to put much on it.

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