Prediction: Qatar vs Honduras

Prediction: Qatar to win 2-1

Best Odds: 7/1

Bookmaker: Zetbet

Qatar and Honduras will lock horns with each other in 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B this week. The match between Carlos Queiroz’s side and Diego Vásquez’s team will be held at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona and is scheduled to kick off at 12:45am UK time on Friday.

Qatar

Qatar are not a heavyweight in football by any means, but their profile have risen in recent years, especially after they hosted the 2022 World Cup. It was a big success for the country to host the biggest single sports showpiece event in the world. 

This is the second time that Qatar are playing at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. They were invited for the 2021 edition, and they did well by reaching the semi-finals. Carlos Queiroz’s side will fancy doing something similar this time around.

Qatar are third in 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B at the moment with zero point from one match. They are three points behind Mexico and Haiti, who are first and second respectively in the standings. The Maroons kicked off their 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Haiti at the NRG Stadium in Houston. They have lost three of their last four games and have won just one of their last six matches in all competitions.

Team News:

Yousef Aymen Ahmed Suhail, Bassam Al-Rawi, Jassem Gaber and Mohammed Muntari all should start for Qatar against Honduras. Yusuf Abdurisag should keep his place in the starting lineup, while Almoez Ali is likely to be on the bench again. Meshaal Barsham will start in goal for Qatar.

Honduras

Like Qatar, Honduras are not a major power in world football, but they do have a better history and bigger pedigree than the Asian country. Los Catrachos qualified for the World Cup in 1982, 2010 and 2014, although they could not progress beyond the group stage.

Honduras will hope to do well at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, but they have not started their campaign strongly. Diego Vásquez’s side were hammering 4-0 by Mexico at the NRG Stadium in Houston. They were 1-0 down in the opening minute and could not really recover from that.

Los Catrachos are at the foot of 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B at the moment with zero point from one match. Honduras are on a three-game losing streak and have won just two of their last seven matches in all competitions. 

Team News:

Luis Lopez will start in goal for Honduras. Maylor Nunez and Devron Garcia will be part of the defence, while Alberth Elis and Jerry Bengtson will lead the line for the Hondurans. Christian Altamirano and Alexander Lopez will form part of the midfield.

Key Factors to Consider

• Qatar and Honduras have faced each other twice before. The Asian country have won both the matches.
• Honduras are without a clean sheet in their last three games in all competitions.
• Los Catrachos have the worst defensive record in the Gold Cup so far, conceding as many as four goals.
• The Maroons are without a clean sheet in their last six games.
• Qatar are 19 places above Honduras in the FIFA rankings.

Conclusion

Qatar are a better team than Honduras, and it is very likely that they will win the match. Although Honduras will be determined to step up their game after the loss in their opening game of the campaign, Qatar will have too much for them and should get all three points from the match in the end.

Prediction: Qatar to win 2-1

Best Odds: 7/1

Bookmaker: Zetbet