Qatar might be overstaying its welcome at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, and it will try to extend its trip further when it takes on El Salvador on Saturday to kick off the quarterfinals in Glendale, Ariz. Qatar was extended an invitation based on its status as 2022 World Cup host, and it went unbeaten in the group stage and looks like a threat to win the tournament. It has scored more goals than any other team and rebounded from a 3-3 draw with Panama in its opener to cruise past Grenada and Honduras. El Salvador, which hasn't reached the semifinals since 1985, followed 2-0 wins against Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago with a 1-0 loss to tournament favorite Mexico.
Kickoff from State Farm Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m ET. William Hill Sportsbook lists Qatar as the -150 favorite (risk $150 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line in its latest Qatar vs. El Salvador odds, with El Salvador the +450 underdog. The over-under for total goals scored is 2.5. Before making any El Salvador vs. Qatar picks or Gold Cup 2021 predictions, you have to see what consummate soccer insider Martin Green has to say.
After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Since then, his European soccer picks have been spot-on. Green has generated nearly $19,000 for $100 bettors since the 2017-18 season, and he has his finger on the pulse of the game all over the globe.
Now, Green has taken a close look at Qatar vs. El Salvador and revealed his expert Gold Cup picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the Gold Cup odds and betting trends for El Salvador vs. Qatar:
- El Salvador vs. Qatar: Qatar -0.5 (-145)
- El Salvador vs. Qatar over-under: 2.5 goals (over +150, under -180)
- El Salvador vs. Qatar 90-minute money line: Qatar -150, El Salvador +450, Draw +220
- ELS: Mario Gonzalez has an 88.9 save percentage in six career starts
- QAT: Almoez Ali has scored 32 goals in 64 career international matches
Why you should back Qatar
The Maroon come in on an 11-game unbeaten run (9-2-0) that includes a 1-0 victory in a friendly against El Salvador on July 4. It has recorded a clean sheet in five of its past seven games and didn't allow a shot on target against Honduras in Tuesday's 2-0 victory. That's the same Honduras team that finished third behind Mexico and the United States in the Nations League last month. A veteran defense that includes three players with more than 50 international appearances should have little trouble with an El Salvador team missing its top scorer, David Rugamas.
The Qatar attack produced nine goals in the group stage, with Almoez Ali, Akram Afif and Abdulaziz Hatem each scoring twice. Hasan Al-Haydos also netted a goal, the 32nd of his career to tie him with Ali for fourth all-time for Qatar. Al-Haydos has the most appearances all-time with 148 and is one of 10 players overall with 50 or more caps. Ali scored the only goal in the July matchup, and El Salvador had just one shot on target despite holding the ball for 68 percent of the game. Qatar has outscored its opponents 24-6 during its current unbeaten run.
Why you should back El Salvador
La Selecta is 7-2-2 since the start of 2021, including the loss to Mexico, outscoring its opponents 23-3. The other loss was a 1-0 setback to Qatar on July 4, and the Salvadorans likely learned from that loss and will be out to avenge it. The team has a strong MLS presence, with Toronto FC star Eriq Zavaleta anchoring the defense and Alex Roldan of the Seattle Sounders and Houston Dynamo's Darwin Ceren playing key midfield roles.
El Salvador won its group at Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifying earlier this year and also finished atop its Concacaf Nations League B group in late 2019 to earn Gold Cup qualification. It went 5-0-1 in that competition, with a 10-1 goal differential. Rugamas is injured, but Los Angeles FC's Joshua Perez is a dangerous young attacker, and Jairo Henriquez and Joaquin Rivas each scored in the group stage. Goalkeeper Mario Gonzalez was outstanding in the group finale, bailing out his teammates on numerous occasions and making five saves.
How to make El Salvador vs. Qatar or 2021 Gold Cup picks
Green has taken a deep look into the Qatar vs. El Salvador match and has two strong best bets, including one that pays plus-money, and complete analysis of this 2021 Gold Cup quarterfinal. He's only sharing his Gold Cup picks and analysis at SportsLine.
So who wins El Salvador vs. Qatar in Saturday's Gold Cup 2021 matchup? And where does all the betting value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for the Qatar vs. El Salvador match, all from the European soccer expert who has generated nearly $19,000 for $100 bettors over the past four seasons, and find out.
