Guatemala vs. Suriname prediction: expect goals after a goalless draw in the previous meeting
On October 5, Guatemala and Suriname will face each other again in the CONCACAF Nations League. While the first meeting in Paramaribo ended goalless, the teams will now move to Guatemala City, where much more will be at stake. This is the final group-stage match, meaning there is virtually no room for error.
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After three rounds, Suriname comfortably leads Group B of League A with seven points. The team has already beaten Jamaica and Martinique before drawing 0-0 with Guatemala. In that latest encounter, the hosts were the more active side: Suriname created chances and seriously tested goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro several times, but could not find the net.
Guatemala have collected four points and currently sit in second place. The start of the tournament was far from ideal for Luis Fernando Tena's team, with a defeat to Jamaica, but a true rout followed. In the match against El Salvador, the “Bicolor” put on a goal-scoring masterclass and won 6-0. William Fajardo completed a hat-trick, while Darwin Lom, Rubio Rubín, and Jorge Aparicio also got on the scoresheet.
However, the hosts' squad situation is not ideal ahead of the decisive game. In the first meeting with Suriname, Guatemala were already forced to cope without Rubio Rubín and Óscar Santis due to injuries, while Darwin Lom missed the match through suspension. Tena will therefore have to find attacking solutions and rely on other players.
For Suriname, the main task is fairly simple: retain top spot and prevent their opponents from closing the gap. The team already have seven points and are in an excellent position heading into the final round. At the same time, a Guatemala win would completely turn the situation on its head: the hosts would move up to seven points and challenge for a place in the quarterfinals.
The tournament format adds even more intrigue. In League A, the top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals, where the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Panama are already waiting. In addition, this edition of the Nations League serves as a qualifying tournament for the 2027 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Overall, after the cautious 0-0 draw in Paramaribo, another match of the same nature is the last thing we want to see. Guatemala need to play for the win at home, while Suriname can exploit the space that will inevitably open up behind their opponents. That is why the return fixture promises to be far more open than the first — the price of three points is simply too high.
My prediction: over 2 total goals.
