As international competitions come to an end in Europe and South America, the Gold Cup gets underway in the United States.
Group B play will begin on Sunday, with ascending CONCACAF side Canada beginning their tournament against Martinique for the second straight Gold Cup. In 2019, the Canadians defeated Martinique 4-0 to open Gold Cup play and will hope for a similar result here.
Check out our free soccer betting tips and predictions for Canada vs. Martinique on July 11.
Canada vs Martinique game info
• Location: Children's Mercy Park, Kansas City, KS
• Date: Sunday, July 11, 2021
• Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
• TV: FS1
Canada vs Martinique betting tips
- Canada (-600)
- Ayo Akinola - Anytime goalscorer (+118)
Read on for complete analysis
Canada vs Martinique match odds
Canada: -600
Martinique: +2,000
Draw: +525
Total: 2.5
Over 2.5: -143
Under 2.5: +110
Canada vs Martinique betting preview
Weather
There are showers in the forecast at kickoff of Canada and Martinique's game on Sunday, with temperatures expected around 70 degrees Fahrenheit with 80 percent humidity.
Key injuries
Canada: Alphonso Davies (Out).
Martinique: No injuries to report.
Canada vs Martinique predictions
Moneyline pick
Though Canada's future is very bright, they'll have to try and rebound from a disappointing end to their 2019 Gold Cup without their two best players. Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies suffered an ankle injury in training that will keep him out of the tournament, while Lille's Jonathan David has been given the tournament off to rest. While that will certainly have an impact on the entertainment value of Canada and their hopes of progressing deep into the tournament, they should be unscathed against Martinique.
The lack of international dates on the soccer calendar over the last 18 months, as a result of the pandemic, will have had a negative impact on Martinique in particular. As they are not recognized as an official team by FIFA, they don't take part in World Cup qualifying or FIFA-sanctioned friendlies, meaning their game against Canada will be their first match since 2019. Canada, meanwhile, have won all six games they have played in 2021 and recently successfully navigated a two-leg tie against Haiti in World Cup qualifying.
Not only will Martinique face a massive talent deficit in their Gold Cup opener, but there will be a huge gap in preparation, as well. The majority of Canada's squad has been together for years now, and will have undergone multiple weeks of training ahead of qualifiers and now the Gold Cup. Martinique, meanwhile, will suffer from a lack of cohesion as a result of almost no time together.
Just as Canada did in 2019, they will begin the Gold Cup with a resounding win over Martinique.
PICK: Canada (-600)
Goalscorer pick
Canada had reason to celebrate before the Gold Cup even began, as Toronto FC striker Ayo Akinola announced his decision to make his one-time switch in international competitions from the United States to Canada, after the former didn't cap tie him. Akinola will join a young Canadian team that boasts several exciting prospects, but he will get immediate benefit from one who is not with the team.
Jonathan David, who scored 13 times for French champions Lille last season and won the Golden Boot at the previous Gold Cup (in just four games), has been excluded from the squad in order to rest and prepare for the upcoming domestic campaign. With David out of the picture, Akinola will be able to make an immediate contribution for his (new) country.
The 21-year-old burst onto the scene for TFC last season at the MLS is Back Tournament, with five goals in three games. He would add another five in 14 league games over the remainder of the season, despite not being a regular starter, as he emerged as one of the league's brightest prospects.
Akinola will continue to boost his burgeoning reputation with a goal on his Canada debut.
PICK: Ayo Akinola - Anytime goalscorer (+118)
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