Jamaica vs Trinidad & Tobago prediction: NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA: Gold Cup betting tips on match 2023-06-28 23:30.
Heimir Hallgrímsson will be hoping that Jamaica’s latest international debutante can add the star quality they need to finally lift the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The head coach handed Everton star Demarai Gray his first cap during their opening group game against competition co-hosts the United States on Sunday, and believes the forward gave his side “an extra dimension” in the final third.
The clash with the USA ended in heartbreak for Jamaica, though, as Hallgrímsson assessed an 88th-minute equaliser conceded as two points lost (1-1). That continued their winless period of more than 12 months (D6, L5), a run they surely need to end to have any chance of repeating their heroic runs to the final in 2015 and 2017.
Recent history suggests ending that poor form might be difficult against Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago, who have won three of the last six H2Hs (D1, L2). The Soca Warriors are also on a formidable run of seven games without defeat (W5, D2) in 2023, conceding just one goal in the process!
The most recent of those matches was a 3-0 demolition of St Kitts and Nevis in their opening group fixture, with manager Angus Eve praising his side for a “very composed” performance. Another victory here will secure Trinidad and Tobago a Gold Cup quarter-final place for the first time since 2015, which was also the last time they won successive games in this competition.
Key battle: Jamaica and West Ham forward Michail Antonio, back in the international fold after a nine-month absence, is still looking for his first international win, despite netting three times in eight caps (D3, L5). He may be trying to out-score Trinidad and Tobago’s Levi García, who has bagged six goals in his last 11 competitive internationals, losing just once (W7, D3).
Hot stat: Jamaica have failed to win any of the last six games in which they have scored the first goal (D5, L1).