CONCACAF Gold Cup Group A: Mexico, Canada, Cuba, Martinique - Fixtures and predictions

Topics: CONCACAF Gold Cup, Mexico, Canada, Cuba Martinique, TV Schedules, TV Listings

Mexico and Canada seem to be locks to play in the next stage of the tournament, but will the Cubans or Les Matinino put them to work?

The 15th edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup will be played in three different countries for the first time in history. Jamaica and Costa Rica will be hosting two games each, while the rest of the competition will be held in the United States.

These changes, along with the involvement of two debutants (Bermuda and Guyana), will surely make the 2019 edition of this tournament one of the best in history.

Group A of the competition will be the starting point for two previous champions: Mexico and Canada. Both of these teams will try to avoid any surprises when they face Cuba and Martinique, who seen destined to exit the competition after three games.

Let's have a closer look at all teams included in Group A of the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Mexico

El Tri began a new era under coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino, and they didn't disappoint with two wins back in March. Mexico is seen as a massive favorite, but Martino will have to deal with a massive number of absences to lead El Tri to the title. Players such as "Chicharito", "Chucky" Lozano, Héctor Herrera and many more will not be around, but even so, anything different from a first-place finish will add pressure to Martino's stint as Mexico's coach.

Mexico's full profile for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Cuba

The Caribbean Lions will return to the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup after missing out on the 2017 edition of this tournament. The team coached by Lorenzo Mambrini will try to reach the semi-finals for the first time in history, although they will need to avoid any escapes from their squad, something that has made them struggle in the past Gold Cup editions. Their last outing in this competition ended in a disappointing 6-0 loss against the United States in the Quarterfinal stage of the 2015 Gold Cup.

Canada

It's been over 18 years since Les Rouges won their only CONCACAF Gold Cup title, and now, with John Herdman at the helm, the Reds will try to get at least to the semi-finals, something the have not accomplished since the 2007 edition. Herdman's work with the Canadian Women's Team was quite impressive, but will he be able to replicate his success with the Men's side?

Canada's full profile for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Martinique

The team from the Caribbean makes its way to this competition for the sixth time in history, despite not being a FIFA member. Les Matinino have only made it past the group stage once, and anything like that will be considered as a triumph. Even if Louis Marianne's men are seen as a massive underdog, the team's speed and agility could be too much to handle for the group's favorites, and beating them will take more than a smile.

2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup: Group A prediction