Guatemala vs Jamaica prediction: NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA: Gold Cup – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-07-08 21:00.
After a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-finals drought of 12 years, Guatemala head into their first meeting with Jamaica in more than a decade as rank outsiders despite topping a Gold Cup group for the first time in their history courtesy of a thrilling 3-2 victory against Guadeloupe. Riding the wave of a strong showing of Guatemalan support across three American stadiums, Guatemala are now unbeaten in eight consecutive games (W6, D2) in CONCACAF competitions including their promotion to Nations League A for 2023/24.
Their Mexican boss Luis Fernando Tena has won widespread plaudits for the style of play he has fostered in the Guatemalan side, and the man who has won three CONCACAF Champions Leagues and an Olympic gold medal as a manager has called upon his players to “control the euphoria” that their group stage success sparked amongst his squad.
Jamaica finished second in Group A after scoring more goals (ten) than any nation bar group winners USA (13) and look good value for their favourites tag after storming out of the blocks to earn half-time leads in each of their group stage outings (W2, D1). That includes the first goal of the game inside half an hour on each occasion for a total of five opening goals from their last six outings.
Manager Heimir HallgrĂmsson described their 5-0 thrashing of St Kitts and Nevis – Jamaica’s largest winning margin in Gold Cup history – as “a big achievement”. Such a feat was made even more impressive by the fact he had made several changes to the side that brushed aside Trinidad & Tobago with similar ease (4-1) and as a result of their free scoring nature, Jamaica already boast eight separate goalscorers at this tournament!
Players to watch: Guatemalan midfielder Carlos MejĂa has recorded either the first or last goal of the match in two of his last five internationals. Meanwhile, Jamaica boss HallgrĂmsson assured the media he’s not concerned that Michail Antonio is yet to score at this tournament, and after five strikes for West Ham across April and May, he can’t be far from his fourth international goal.
Hot streak: Guatemala’s last six matches were either drawn or decided by a one-goal margin.