CONCACAF Gold Cup Futures Odds & Predictions 2023: El Tri Massive Favorites Ahead of Final

With USA eliminated from the Gold Cup, El Tri – the clear-cut favorites since before the tournament began – are now prohibitively favored to raise the trophy.

To bring home the hardware, Mexico must defeat a Panama side that have not lost in this tournament.

Still, Jaime Lozano’s side, whose odds are as short as -500 on DraftKings, are expected to win comfortably when they take on Los Canaleros on Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. Eastern at SoFi Stadium in LA.

2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup Futures Odds

Below are the futures odds for finalists Mexico and Panama, courtesy of Caesars, FanDuel, and DraftKings.

Each sportsbook sees Mexico as the heavy favorite, while Panama’s odds are +280 (on Caesars) or longer across the board.

Mexico Gold Cup Prediction: Bet on El Tri in Favorable Final Match-Up (Caesars, -400)

Mexico’s impressive bounceback from a disappointing showing in the CONCACAF Nations League has continued in knockout play. After a 2-0 win over Costa Rica on Saturday night in the quarters, El Tri controlled their semifinal clash with Jamaica on Wednesday en route to a 3-0 victory.

Mexico jumped out to an early lead on Jamaica after a goal in the second minute by Henry Martín. Midfielder Luis Chávez then made it 2-0 in the 30th on a beautiful free kick, and El Tri stifled Jamaica the rest of the way to clinch their place in the final.

Prediction: I doubted Mexico against Jamaica, but I won’t make that mistake again, even after watching Panama prove what a tough out they are by beating USA. This won’t be a breeze, but Mexico’s ability to counter will burn Panama for a goal or two and the Gold Cup trophy.

Panama Gold Cup Prediction: Can Underdogs Pull Another Upset? (DraftKings, +350)

Oddsmakers didn’t give Panama a chance against USA, but we weren’t fooled. Our exact recommendation (not to brag), in fact, advised taking Panama at:

• +500 on the moneyline (DraftKings, FanDuel)
• +300 to advance (FanDuel)
• Double Chance — Panama or Draw (based on result after regulation) (+140 on FanDuel)

With that shameless plug behind us, let’s turn our attention to Panama’s chances against Mexico. The experience and cohesiveness of this roster – as well as savvy manager Thomas Christiansen – were too much for a line-up of the USMNT’s reserves, but Mexico pose a tougher challenge.

Lozano’s side is full of first-choice players who played substantial roles in last year’s World Cup, so Panama won’t have an experience – or talent — advantage in the final. That means they’ll need to make the final as physical and scrappy as possible to give themselves a chance.

Prediction: I wouldn’t rule out Panama keeping this one close until the final minutes, but Lozano has Mexico playing too well for me to pick against the heavy favorites.