Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
In the third round of the CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage, Guadeloupe will take on Guatemala. The showdown will take place in Houston in the early hours of Wednesday, June 25. Kick-off is scheduled for 01:00 Central European Time. I'm offering a bet focused on the attacking potential in this match.
Match preview
The Guadeloupe national team remains one of the most colorful and unpredictable sides in the tournament. Despite their modest status and a squad mainly composed of players from the lower French divisions, this team is capable of giving even more renowned opponents a tough time.
They already caused a stir in the Gold Cup qualifiers, unexpectedly defeating Nicaragua. Back then, Angloma's men managed to edge out their rivals with narrow wins in both encounters.
In the first two rounds of the final tournament, Guadeloupe showed flashes of attacking prowess, but their defense was shaky and at times completely fell apart.
This is a team that loves to push forward and isn't afraid to open up, with their wingers making full use of their individual skill and pace. However, a high defensive line and frequent gaps in midfield have so far prevented them from picking up points. Still, against Jamaica and Panama, Guadeloupe put up a good fight and created plenty of problems for their opponents.
Guatemala, by contrast, is a more organized and structured team. Under the guidance of experienced coach Luis Fernando Tena, the Guatemalans demonstrate solid tactical discipline and a confident positional defense.
But don't underestimate their attacking potential: this team regularly creates chances and makes set pieces one of their main weapons. Guatemala has collected three points from their first two matches and has a real shot at making the playoffs—but for that, they need a win.
This means that against Guadeloupe, Guatemala will look to take the initiative and play more openly than usual. Much will also depend on the parallel match between Panama and Jamaica, but above all, it's crucial for them to secure a positive result in their own fixture.
It's worth noting that Guatemala is still in the hunt for a World Cup berth. This fall, they face decisive qualifiers against Suriname, El Salvador, and Panama.
Match facts
- Guadeloupe has scored in each of their last six matches.
- Guatemala has lost four of their previous nine fixtures.
- Guadeloupe averages 1.2 goals per game, while Guatemala averages 1.2 goals per game as well.
Probable lineups
- Guadeloupe: Conyard, Mosso, Cavare, Solvet, Santini, Roussillon, Leborne, Cadieu, Faeton, Baron, Ambrose.
- Guatemala: Hagen, Herrera, Pinto, Samayoa, Morales, Franco, Ramirez, Santis, Robles, Muñoz, Lom.
H2H
These teams have met twice before, with each side taking a win.
Prediction
This promises to be a fast-paced and tense affair, with a spot in the knockout rounds on the line. While a draw might be enough for Guatemala in certain scenarios, Guadeloupe needs nothing less than a win. I expect both teams to go on the attack, especially as the match nears its conclusion if the score remains level. That means we're likely to see goals from both sides. Considering all these factors, I believe the fans in the stands are in for a treat, and my bet is on over 2 total goals in the match.
