With two tournaments in between rounds, Wednesday is about the United States men at the Gold Cup.
The Americans can clinch top spot in the group, and a Sunday match in Philadelphia, with a win or draw against Panama in the final match of Group D play.
But the USA team is not coming to this tournament to draw matches against Panama; it is here to continue to make statements. A win over Panama would help that cause. Ultimately, though, the Americans have to win the tournament. Top spot in the group will make that task easier.
At the African Cup of Nations, Egypt and Nigeria will both look to go to the top of their respective groups, and qualify for the knockout rounds. Expect both to do that.
Major League Soccer play is back in action Wednesday night, and the first place Philadelphia Union kick off six matches Wednesday at Gillette Stadium against New England. The Union have been good on their travels, while the Revolution have not been great at home.
Finally, in Norwegian Cup play (which we have followed since the early stages), all eight Round of 16 matches take place Wednesday.
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NORWEGIAN NM CUP
(All matches 12 p..m. EDT unless noted)
Haugesund (-265) vs. Strommen (+750), draw (+370)
The Pick:
Haugesund -1.25 Asian handicap (-105)
KFUM (-278) vs. Tromsdalen (+625), draw (+425)
The Pick:
KFUM -1.25 Asian handicap (-120)
Viking (-162) vs. Stabaek (+385), draw (+320)
The Pick:
Viking -0.75 Asian handicap (-125)
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AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS
Nigeria (+110) vs. Guinea (+270), draw (+205), 10:30 a.m. EDT (beIN Sports and Fubo.tv)
The Pick:
Nigeria ML (+110)
Egypt (-225) vs. DR Congo (+750), draw (+300), 4 p.m EDT (beIN Sports and Fubo.tv)
The Pick:
Egypt -1 Asian handicap (-130)
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GOLD CUP
Panama (+600) vs. United States(-200), draw (+300), 9 p.m. EDT (FS1, UniMas, and Fubo.tv)
The Picks:
Over 0.5 goals in each half (-130)
USA -1 Asian handicap (-110)
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MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
New England (+170) vs. Philadelphia (+150), draw (+250), 7:30 p.m. EDT (ESPN+)
The Picks:
Over 2.5 goals (-150)
Both teams to score in both halves (+1000)