Jamaica and Guadeloupe clash at PayPal Park with both sides chasing their first points in Group C of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. After opening defeats, the pressure is on and with little room for error, this could be a tight, tense battle that comes down to who wants it more.
Jamaica come into this game off the back of a surprise 1-0 defeat to Guatemala in their opening fixture of the Gold Cup. That was only their second loss in the last nine matches in all competitions, picking up five wins in that run.
The loss to Guatemala is also their first without scoring since November, a run stretching to nine matches. Steve McClaren’s men will also need to tighten up at the back having failed to keep a clean sheet in six of the last 10 matches.
Guadeloupe arrive for their second Group C match looking to bounce back from a heavy 5-2 loss to Panama. That result snapped a four-game winning run and left them bottom of the table.
While the attack has looked sharp with 11 goals scored in their last six outings, defensive frailties remain a major concern for Guadeloupe. The five goals conceded in their opening fixture, highlights a vulnerability at the back that could be exploited by potent forward lines.
How the bookies view it: Jamaica highly favoured
Jamaica have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 2/5 by BoyleSports to claim the win. A victory for Guadeloupe is valued at 5/1 while a draw is set at odds of 16/5.
Head to head: Jamaican dominance
Jamaica have won all five previous matches against Guadeloupe and claimed a 2-1 victory in the 2021 Gold Cup.
Players to watch: Dependable Brown
Warner Brown has netted three goals in his last three games for Jamaica and could be worth keeping an eye on. The forward could link up with Demarai Gray to produce over 1.5 goals for the hosts (Jamaica over 1.5 goals at 11/20).
Jordan Leborgne and Florian David both netted for Guadeloupe in the opening fixture and will be targeting a repeat in this one. Both men could combine to serve up over 0.5 goals – valued at 7/10 on BoyleSports.
Probable lineups
Jamaica have no injury concerns and are expected to be unchanged from the team that started their opener. Leon Bailey, Gray and Brown are expected to keep their spots while Michail Antonio could also come off the bench after returning to action in the first clash.
Guadeloupe have a fully fit squad for this fixture and could also stick with much of the team that faced Panama. Thierry Ambrose, Leborgne and David are all in contention to start.
Jamaica: Blake, Bell, Pinnock, Lowe, Latibeaudiere, King, Russell, Bailey, Gray, Cephas, Brown
Guadeloupe: Cognard, Macon, Cavare, Saitini, Roussilon, Cadiou, Baron, Plumain, Leborgne, David, Ambrose
Anything else catch the eye?
Four of the last six games involving Jamaica have produced over 2.5 goals, which is set at odds of 3/4 with BoyleSports. Both teams are often unconvincing at the back and could be backed to score here (BTTS YES valued at 10/11).
Four of Jamaica’s last six matches have produced goals in both halves – available at 7/10. With the Reggae Boyz priced at minimal odds for a straight victory, a win and over 2.5 goals offers good value at 5/4.
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