All predictions are of course subject to the minor caveat that this is futbol, football and soccer where anything can and will happen except what you think will happen.

This is likely to the last gasp for El Salvador and Trinidad & Tobago, unless their opponents are somehow napping.

USA to defeat Trinidad & Tobago
The USA should win this one even though USA play has been rife with weakness and inconsistency and the Soca Warriors will be fired up, playing at home in a do-or-die match.  The USA will win because they have, shockingly, discovered some soccer wit under Bob Bradley.  Case in point: Clint Dempsey’s header against El Salvador was, I must surmise, a fantastic team job of outwitting the opposition. The US team knew the El Salvador offside trap tactic, played possum, and left it to a single man to fly under the radar.  The US used El Salvador’s tactic against them, giving Dempsey a free header on goal.  If the US are as prepared for Trinidad & Tobago they should win even if they make a defensive blunder.  If I’m wrong, hopes of the US qualifying for the World Cup will be in dire straits.

Mexico to defeat Honduras
Mexico seems to have found their way again, and will bring their guile and passion to bear upon Honduras in front of an enormous home crowd. Honduras can ring up the goal count when their opposition pushes forward, so Mexico will play a cat and mouse game; however there is no way Mexico is going to lose this game at Estadio Azteca.  Blanco, Santos and teammates will create the needed  scoring opportunities without El Tri having to expose themselves at the back.  Honduras may look to get an early goal to pressure Mexico to open up, but Mexico will play measured and with confidence.

El Salvador to draw Costa Rica
El Salvador is tough to beat at home and has everything on the line in this game, but Costa Rica has been a better side and will fight for at least a draw, as the USA did.   Costa Rica will be stung by their recent loss at home and they will be anxious to return to the prior form that saw them leading qualifying.  Winning will be hard in the hostile environment at Estadio Cuscatlan, but the Ticos should just manage a draw.

Insightful predictions or wishing thinking?

It’s hard to escape that if the matches turn out according to my predictions, the USA will be in a very favorable position.  Perhaps I am guilty of a little wishful thinking as a USA fan.  It could certainly go otherwise: Mexico and Honduras could draw, Costa Rica could beat El Salvador, and the USA could lose to Trinidad & Tobago, all of which would drop the USA out of the top three qualifying slots.

With the top four teams neck and neck and only two more qualifying matches to play after Wednesday, it’s time for the teams in this CONCACAF hexagonal to seize their World Cup berth.

Do you agree with these predictions, or think I’ve got it all wrong? Who will prevail and what will make the difference?  Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.