Honduras vs El Salvador Prediction & Live Info — Concacaf Gold Cup | 21 June 2025

The second round of Group B fixtures at the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup delivers a regional classic: Honduras face bitter rivals El Salvador on Saturday, 21 June, under the lights of Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas. Kick‑off is set for 9 p.m. CDT (02:00 BST, 03:00 CEST on 22 June) as the neighbours renew one of Central America’s most compelling football rivalries. A bumper Central American diaspora in Texas means the match is effectively a neutral‑site derby, with ticket demand strong enough for tournament organisers to pair it with the earlier Curaçao‑Canada game in a double‑header. ticketmaster.comolympics.com

Why the Match Matters

Group B began with shocks and stalemates: Canada thrashed Honduras 6‑0 while El Salvador played out a tense 0‑0 draw with Curaçao. Those results leave the Catrachos bottom and La Selecta tied for second, raising the stakes here — defeat would almost certainly dump Honduras out, while a Salvadoran victory would all but secure a quarter‑final berth. espn.com

Recent Form & Path to Houston

Honduras

• Canada 6‑0 Honduras (14 June, Vancouver) — a sobering opener exposed defensive frailties and forced coach Reinaldo Rueda to consider changes across the back four and midfield pivot. espn.com

• Friendly results in March (1‑1 vs Bolivia, 0‑2 vs Colombia) hinted at inconsistency but also at the raw pace Honduras can unleash in transition.

El Salvador

• Curaçao 0‑0 El Salvador (17 June, San José) — Hugo Pérez’s side had 62 % possession yet failed to convert, continuing a theme of profligacy seen throughout qualifying. espn.com

• A pair of April friendlies (2‑1 win vs Guatemala; 0‑1 loss vs Ecuador) showed La Selecta can press high with energy but still lack a clinical edge.

Head‑to‑Head Snapshot

• 71 official meetings: Honduras 36 wins, El Salvador 20, Draws 15.

• Gold Cup clashes: Two previous editions — Honduras won 4‑0 in 2019; the sides drew 0‑0 in 2021 World Cup qualifying. espn.com

• Recent competitive trend: Honduras unbeaten in the last five Gold Cup or Nations League encounters.

Tactical Battle

Key Match‑ups

1. Deybi Flores vs Amando Moreno – Flores must screen Honduras’ shaky centre‑backs from Moreno’s drifting runs between the lines.

2. Andy Najar vs Jairo Henríquez – Experience against exuberance on El Salvador’s left could dictate the crossing count.

3. Anthony Lozano vs Eriq Zavaleta – Physical tussle in the box; Lozano scored twice in last three club games at Getafe and looks Honduras’ most dependable finisher.

Players to Watch

• Alberth Elis (Honduras) — The Bordeaux winger had a goal involvement every 178 minutes in Ligue 2 last season and provides the Catrachos’ primary outlet on the break.

• Kevin Carabantes (El Salvador) — The goalkeeper made six saves versus Curaçao; reflexes could be decisive again.

• Darwin Ceren (El Salvador) — Captain, set‑piece taker and tempo‑setter; his passing range unlocks wide channels.

Statistical Edge

• Expected Goals (xG) in first group games: Honduras 0.44 vs Canada’s 3.97; El Salvador 1.62 vs Curaçao 0.66 — highlighting Honduras’ blunt attack and El Salvador’s cutting‑edge woes.

• Honduras finished with 15 interceptions (least of any team in MD1), pointing to passive midfield pressing; expect a more aggressive stance here.

Live Broadcast & Streaming

• TV (USA): FOX Sports 2 & ViX (Spanish).

• TV (Canada): OneSoccer, fuboTV.

• Online: Concacaf’s official YouTube geo‑blocked highlights; live‑blog updates on ESPN, FOX, and The Stats Zone. foxsports.comthestatszone.com

• Radio: TUDN Radio nationwide, plus local affiliates in Tegucigalpa & San Salvador.

• Hashtags to follow: #HONvSLV, #GoldCup2025, #Concacaf.

Betting Odds

Bookmakers opened Honduras slight favourites at +145, El Salvador +200, Draw +210; over/under set at 2.5 goals. Expect line movement toward Honduras if forward Anthony Lozano is confirmed fit after a minor groin complaint in training.

Match Prediction

Despite the historic edge, Honduras looked disjointed in Vancouver. El Salvador, though toothless up front, controlled possession and pressed intelligently. Expect a cagey start before intensity spikes after half‑time.

• Predicted score: Honduras 1‑1 El Salvador

• First goalscorer: Anthony Lozano (Honduras)

• Most likely alternative outcome: Honduras 2‑1 — if Elis isolates Zavaleta in transition.

Why 1‑1?

• Honduras’ defence conceded six but should tighten up with league‑experienced Félix Crisanto returning at right‑back.

• El Salvador generate chances (1.62 xG vs Curaçao) yet lack clinical finishers; they have scored more than once only twice in their last 12 outings.

• Both teams could settle for a point if Canada beat Curaçao earlier, leaving qualification alive for Matchday 3.

What a Result Would Mean

• Honduras win: Leaps them into second on three points (goal difference permitting), setting up a decisive finale against Curaçao.

• Draw: Keeps the Catrachos alive but hands the initiative to El Salvador, who would reach two points and remain unbeaten before facing heavy‑favourite Canada.

• El Salvador win: La Selecta almost certain quarter‑finalists and would banish the pain of their 4‑0 thrashing by Honduras in the 2019 edition. concacaf.com

Travel & Fan Info

Shell Energy Stadium lies in Houston’s vibrant East Downtown (EaDo) district. Gates open at 4 p.m. for the double‑header; clear‑bag policy in force. The city’s METRORail Green & Purple lines stop adjacent to the venue. Honduran & Salvadoran food trucks will line Walker Street — arrive early for pupusas, baleadas and live marimba performances.

Final Thoughts

Saturday’s contest is more than a group game: it is 90 minutes heavy with pride, history and World Cup 2026 momentum. Expect noise, colour and the kind of visceral intensity that only Central American neighbours can produce on U.S. soil. Whether you bleed blue‑and‑white for Honduras or sky‑blue for La Selecta, settle in — this one could define each nation’s 2025 Gold Cup journey.