GUATEMALA will take on El Salvador in an international friendly on Sunday, 28 July as both teams gear up for the CONCACAF Nations League in September
Neither side have had much to write home about in recent times, although Guatemala will be the more confident of the two after they recently recorded back-to-back wins in the second stage of Concacaf World Cup 2026 Qualifying
El Salvador, meanwhile, picked up four points in their opening two matches meaning they have plenty of work to do if they are to compete at the World Cup in two years.
How the bookies view it: A close one to call
Although El Salvador are ranked 26 places higher than Guatemala in the official FIFA World Rankings, it's difficult to see this being an easy match for the visitors. They have only won one of their last 25 matches – an incredible stat for a side ranked inside the top 100.
Guatemala's recent record isn't much better but it is still an improvement on their opponent's nonetheless. They have won three of their last twelve matches and as the home team, they may well have the edge.
Recent head-to-head: Advantage Guatemala
Guatemala and El Salvador play each other relatively frequently with their six most recent clashes coming in the last five years. Interstingly, Guatemala have won the last three H2Hs by an aggregate score of 8-0 which doesn't bode well at all for El Salvador despite their superior ranking. Can they turn the tide back in their favour on Sunday?
Players to watch: Time for Tejada
Rafael Tejada has only made two senior appearances for El Salvador so far in his career but he is now ready to take on the mantle of the man to lead the line for his country going forward.
Interestingly, Tejada made his international debut as a substitute in a match against Guatemala and will be determined to do better this time with more time on the pitch.
He scored his first international goal against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines last month and that goal should have given him the confidence to know he belongs at this level.
Guatemala's main man will be Rubio Rubin. The experienced striker has scored twice in World Cup qualifying so far and will fancy his chances of getting on the scoresheet again here.
Predicted line-ups
There have been no injuries in either camp in the build-up to this one meaning both managers have all the players they selected for the match available to them. Given that it's a friendly, we should expect plenty of rotation throughout the match.
Guatemala: Hagen – Morales, Pinto, Samayoa, Ardon – Catellanos, Ramirez – Cordoza, Franco, Santis – Rubin
El Salvador: Gonzalez – Sibrian, Clavel, Cruz – Orellana, Martinez, Benitez, Sanchez, Larin, Menjivar – Tejada
Anything else catch the eye?
Neither of these teams are known for being in high-scoring matches, unless they are on the receiving end of a drubbing. Five of Guatmala's last eight matches have seen fewer than three goals scored while the same can be said for ten of El Salvador's last twelve. Therefore, under 2.5 goals is a good bet here.
This International Friendly match between Guatemala and El Salvador will be played on Jul 28, 2024 and kick off at 03:30. Check below for our tipsters best Guatemala vs El Salvador prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
