Jamaica go into Monday night’s CONCACAF Gold Cup opener against Guatemala as the favourites, but head coach Steve McClaren is expecting a tougher test from their Group C rivals.
The Reggae Boyz ran out easy 3-0 winners over Los Chapines when the two nations met in World Cup qualifying last week.
But McClaren has warned his players against complacency, noting that Guatemala made some changes for the clash in Kingston because they had already qualified for the next stage.
Jamaica enter the tournament in excellent form, having gone unbeaten in their last seven matches against CONCACAF opposition.
The Reggae Boyz have not lost an opening group match at the Gold Cup since 2009 and have advanced beyond the group stage in five consecutive editions, finishing as the runners-up in 2015 and 2017.
Guatemala, managed by Luis Fernando Tena, reached the quarter-finals two years ago, but have displayed some indifferent form recently.
Their best result in a run of three wins and three defeats in their last seven was a 2-1 away success over Honduras.
Both teams will be aware that a positive result at Dignity Health Sports Park could be decisive in a group that also features Panama and Guadeloupe.
Jamaica vs Guatemala Tips Summary
Market | Tip | Odds |
Match Result | Jamaica | |
Best Bet | Jamaica to win & Over 2.5 Goals | |
Bet Builder | Both Teams to Score - No, Over 2 Goals, Under 9 Corners & Warner Brown to score |
Key Match Stats
- Jamaica are unbeaten in their last seven matches against CONCACAF opposition, with five wins and two draws.
- Jamaica have won five of their six all-time Gold Cup meetings with Guatemala, including a 1-0 win in 2023.
- Warner Brown has scored four goals in his last three matches for Jamaica.
- Guatemala have conceded in five of their last six matches and allowed multiple goals on three occasions.
- In 19 meetings between the teams, Jamaica hold the superior record with 12 wins and four draws.
- Guatemala have registered just three wins against the Caribbean side, the last of which was in 2012.
- Los Chapines have failed to score in only one of their last six matches, albeit that was against Jamaica.
- Three of the last five meetings between these nations have produced over 2.5 goals.
Jamaica vs Guatemala Prediction
Best Bet: Jamaica to win & Over 2.5 Goals @ 2/1
Jamaica have hit form at the right time with McClaren building some strong momentum in the lead-up to the tournament.
They beat Trinidad and Tobago before drawing 2-2 against Nigeria at the Unity Cup in London before recording back-to-back wins in World Cup qualifying earlier this month.
Jamaica look strong at the back with Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock due to return alongside Mason Holgate while the attacking trio of Leon Bailey, Demarai Gray and Michail Antonio are as good as any in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Guatemala’s defensive frailties have been exposed in recent away matches.
They were beaten 3-0 by Costa Rica in San Jose last October and also suffered a 3-2 reverse in Guyana before last week’s 3-0 loss in Kingston.
Tena’s side are likely to adopt a cautious approach to avoid a repeat of their recent heavy defeat.
But Jamaica are good enough to claim a victory with at least three goals in the game.
Simon Barlow says:
Jamaica’s blend of defensive solidity and attacking flair should see them through against a Guatemala side still searching for consistency. Expect the Reggae Boyz to follow up their 3-0 home win over Guatemala with something similar in Carson.
Jamaica vs Guatemala Bet Builder Tip
- Both Teams to Score - No
- Over 2 Goals
- Under 9 Corners
- Warner Brown to Score
Pays: 28/1
Jamaica’s defensive record and Guatemala’s recent struggles at the back suggest another win to nil is likely for the Reggae Boyz.
Warner Brown’s prolific run makes him a strong candidate to find the net, while the Reggae Boyz’ recent corner record does not suggest there will be too many in this Group C clash.
Jamaica have produced exactly five corners in each of their last two matches while only allowing one against Guatemala last time out.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Backing Brown to score bolsters the Bet Builder while Jamaica’s recent corner record suggest there won’t be many in a game they should dominate and win without conceding again,
Simon Barlow adds.
Read more football betting tips and predictions on site
Tactics, Form and Team News
Jamaica are expected to continue with a 4-2-3-1 scheme featuring Bailey, Gray and Renaldo Cephas in attack, just behind in-form striker Brown.
Antonio made the finals squad despite not having played for club or country since a car accident in December.
Goalkeeper and captain Andre Blake will take the gloves despite hurting his knee last month.
Expected Jamaica XI (4-2-3-1): Blake; Latibeaudiere, Holgate, Pinnock, Bell; Russell, Hayden; Bailey, Gray, Cephus; Brown.
Guatemala are likely to line up in a compact 4-2-3-1 under Luis Fernando Tena, aiming to stay organised and hit on the counter.
Darwin Lom and Rubio Rubin will be key in attack, while Nicholas Hagen is set to start in goal.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing was left out of the squad after choosing to prioritise club commitments.
Expected Guatemala XI (4-2-3-1): Hagen; Arden, Herrera, Samayoa, Pinto; Saravia, Rosales; Lemus, Lom, Altan; Rubin.
View the full market and more odds for Jamaica vs Guatemala on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
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