Gold Cup Quarterfinal: Guatemala vs Jamaica Betting Preview
Guatemala Take Group D by Surprise
Reggae Boyz Can Make a Run
Unexpectedly, Guatemala managed to win Gold Cup Group D, which also featured Canada. In their first quarterfinal appearance since 2011, Guatemala takes on the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica. Jamaica looked like one of the strongest teams in the tournament in the group stage and scored 10 goals in three matches. It wouldn’t at all be a surprise if Jamaica go on a deep run. Still, we’ll see if Los Chapines can play spoiler in our Guatemala vs Jamaica betting preview.
CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinal
Guatemala vs Jamaica
Location: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, USA
Day/Time:
Head-to-Head:
Soccer predictions frequently favor Jamaica in this matchup. The Reggae Boyz have won six of the last seven head-to-head matchups. Still, Guatemala and Jamaica haven’t faced off since a 2014 World Cup Qualifier, all the way back in 2012. That day, Guatemala managed a 2-1 win but Jamaica is 4-0 all-time vs Guatemala at the Gold Cup.
Gutsy Effort From Guatemala
- Last Match: 3-2 W vs. Guadeloupe
- Standings: 2-1-0, 1st Group D
With four points through two matches, a Guatemala win over Guadeloupe was enough to send Los Chapines through to the knockout stage. The match was a wildly dramatic one and Guatemala looked down and out on multiple occasions. Guadeloupe opened the scoring as Andrew Gravillon headed a corner in. Guatemala’s Rubio Rubin answered just 12 minutes later on a header of his own.
Then, Guadeloupe converted on a second-half penalty kick to go up 2-1. Rubin scored his second goal of the match seven minutes later from a Nathaniel Mendez-Laing cross. If the result held at that point, Guadeloupe and Canada would have been the two teams to go through. However, Carlos Mejia scored a screamer for Guatemala in the 75th minute to put them up 3-2. Guadeloupe had a lifeline in the 88th minute when they won a penalty. Nicholas Hagen heroically saved Matthias Phaeton’s shot to help Guatemala to a dramatic victory and Group D win.
Our Guatemala vs Jamaica betting preview notes that Guatemala is underdog but they’ve ground out results over the last few matches. They haven’t reached the semifinal stage of the Gold Cup since 1996 and this is the first time they’ve ever won their group at the tournament. Unfortunately, Guatemala’s most experienced midfielder, Rodrigo Saravia, is suspended for this match.
Jamaica Easily Advance
- Last Match: 5-0 W vs. Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Standings: 2-1-0, 2nd Group A
Jamaica gave the USA a run for their money in the opening match of the Gold Cup. The Reggae Boyz led for 75 minutes but Brandon Vazquez equalized with just minutes to play. In their next couple of matches, Jamaica dominated and scored nine goals combined. The addition of Demarai Gray, who switched allegiances from England, has made a significant impact on Jamaica’s play.
He picked up an assist in his first-ever match with the Reggae Boyz and scored twice in the 4-1 win vs Trinidad and Tobago. Along with Gray, Jamaica has four other Premier League players. That includes Leon Bailey, Bobby Decordova-Reid, Michail Antonio, and Dexter Lemibikisa. Given their strong play and talented roster, it is a bit surprising that Jamaica is not among the CONCACAF Gold Cup favorites.
They enter the knockout stage as +1400 dark horses come away with their first Gold Cup win. Jamaica have qualified for the quarterfinal in each of their last six appearances in the tournament, though. In their final group stage match, Jamaica destroyed Saint Kitts and Nevis by a 5-0 scoreline. Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson managed to rest goalkeeper Andre Blake and Decordova-Reid and took some of his starters out early.
Match Analysis and Odds
Our Guatemala vs Jamaica betting preview notes that Jamaica is a 0.5-goal favorite for Sunday’s match. The Reggae Boyz come in as -115 ATS and moneyline favorites and could very well grab a third consecutive win here. Meanwhile, Guatemala +0.5 also displays -115 odds. Guatemala, at +2500, has the longest odds to win the tournament of any team in the quarterfinal.
In 16 previous matches vs Jamaica, Guatemala has won just three times. La Bicolor shows +325 odds to grab a win here. There are definitive signs that Guatemala is improving, as a 1-0 friendly win over Costa Rica pre-tournament was their first win over a top-100 team in the FIFA Rankings for over four years. Guatemala also managed a scoreless draw vs Canada in the group stage and conceded just two goals. A draw is priced at +240 odds and it would send the match into extra time and penalties if needed.
Jamaica, on the other hand, averaged over three goals per game in the group stage. In this match, goals are also expected as over two sit at -140 odds. Overall, Jamaica is -260 favorites to advance by any method. Meanwhile, Guatemala are +300 underdogs to qualify for their first semifinal since 1996. Whoever wins will take on the winners of Mexico and Costa Rica in next Wednesday’s semifinal.
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