Gold Cup 2017: TV Schedule, Live Stream and Predictions for Saturday Fixtures

The 2017 Gold Cup is set to excite football fans across the United States, as the Stars and Stripes host the CONCACAF tournament.

The Americans begin their campaign on Saturday as they play Panama in Group B at the Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

Martinique play Nicaragua in the day's other fixture as the nations attempt to place themselves in good stead early in the competition.

Here is the full TV schedule for the group stage of the tournament:

July 8

4:30 p.m ET - USA vs. Panama - Fox
7 p.m. ET - Martinique vs. Nicaragua - Fox Sports 2

July 9

7 p.m. ET - Curacao vs. Jamaica - Fox Sports 1
9:30 p.m. ET - Mexico vs. El Salvador - Fox Sports 1

July 11

7:30 p.m. ET - Costa Rica vs. Canada - Fox Sports 1
10 p.m. ET - Honduras vs. French Guiana - Fox Sports 1

July 12

6:30 p.m. ET - Panama vs. Nicaragua - Fox Sports 1 
9:00 p.m. ET - USA vs. Martinique - Fox Sports 1

July 13

8 p.m. ET - El Salvador vs. Curacao - Fox Sports 1
10:30 p.m. ET - Mexico vs. Jamaica - Fox Sports 1

July 14

7:30 p.m. ET - Costa Rica vs. French Guiana - Fox Sports 1
10 p.m. ET - Canada vs. Honduras - Fox Sports 1

July 15

4:30 p.m. ET - Panama vs. Martinique - Fox Sports 2  
7 p.m. ET - Nicaragua vs. USA - FXX

July 16

6 p.m. ET - Jamaica vs. El Salvador - Fox Sports 2
8:30 p.m. ET - Curacao vs. Mexico - Fox Sports 1

Streaming available via Fox Sports Go and fubo.tv.

Preview

The United States are five-times winners of the Gold Cup, and despite their position as hosts and seeds, Panama are expected to run them close in the group stage.

The Americans will hold designs on winning the whole competition, but with Mexico expected to be in their way in the closing stages, it could be a difficult path to success.

The Mexicans have dominated the competition in recent years as the United States have struggled to prevail.

Panama enter the match after losing three games in their past five, but they will be motivated to cause an upset with their defensive mindset.

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

The hosts have formed an inexperienced squad for this year's competition, blooding a number of less-familiar faces in their lineup.

Youth is the order of the day as veteran boss Bruce Arena includes a number of fresh talents.

According to GoldCup.org, Dom Dwyer, Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan and burgeoning player Kellyn Acosta could be given the responsibility of flying the flag for America in the opening fixture.

In the day's other game, Martinique face Nicaragua as the nations expect to battle for third place.

A victory for either team will position well before they are forced to play the United States and Panama.

Predictions

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

Despite the youth in their squad, home advantage should see the Americans through, but they will not take their opponents for granted.

Panama have the steel and tactics needed to go far in the competition, and a draw would be a superb opening result for their mandate.

The United States' lack of European-based talent will damage their charge after the group stages, but they will have more than enough to qualify in the top-two places in Group B.

Nicaragua will find it difficult to overcome Martinique, but both sides lack the pedigree needed to be fully competitive.

Predicted Scores

United States 2-1 Panama

Martinique 1-1 Nicaragua