Jamaica vs Curacao
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Date: Wednesday, June 26th June 2019
Kick off at 01:00 UK / 02:00 CET
Venue: Banc of California Stadium (Los Angeles).
Form Jamaica & Team News
Jamaica are in a good position to reach the quarter-finals after winning and a draw at the Gold Cup. A 3-2 win at Independence Park against Honduras is more comfortable than the score shown.
Dever Orgill scored twice before the first half and Damion Lowe made it 3-1 before Honduras scored in the 92nd minute. Reggae Boyz then came out with a 0-0 draw against El Salvador in a difficult match despite finishing the match strongly.
Manager Theodore Whitmore made two changes to this starting XI with Michael Hector paving the way for Andre Lewis and Junior Flemmings to replace Peter-Lee Vassell. Vassell registered two assists against Honduras and could start against Curacao.
Right-back Alvas Powell is in good condition and his tantrums go forward completing the attack featuring star player Leon Bailey. Striker Brian Brown was under pressure from Darren Mattocks and Shamar Nicholson.
Jamaica has had a strong record recently in the tournament after finishing as runners-up in 2015 and 2017. Reggae Boyz can be supported to beat Curacao at 1.62 with -1 handicap paying 2.80.
Curacao Form & Team News
Curacao fell to a 1-0 defeat against El Salvador at the opening of their Gold Cup in Independence Park where they only recorded one shot on goal. It was their fourth straight defeat in the Gold Cup without scoring.
The Remko Bicentini side bounced back with a lucky 1-0 win against Honduras at the Kompas BBVA Stadium. Curacao was under the pump in the first half but scored through Leandro Bacuna in the 40th minute and held on for a historic victory.
Curacao only has 37% ownership, on the wrong side of the number of shots (24-5) and shots on the target number 13-4. Honduras hit the post twice with the Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room making 13 saves.
Left back Jurich Carolina was replaced by Ayrton Statie and defensive midfielder Shermaine Martina got off the bench against Honduras. Striker Charlison Benschop lost his initial place to Jafar Arias, Jarchinio winger Antonia played the full 90 minutes against Honduras and could start against Jamaica.
Curacao is an outsider against Jamaica and can be supported at 6.50 to make angry wins. A draw can be enough to reach the quarter-finals if El Salvador lose to Honduras, the result of which is currently paying 3.80.
Key Statistics of Jamaica vs. Curacao
Jamaica have kept 2 clean sheets in their last 3 matches in all competitions.
Jamaica won their last match against Curacao 2-0 (2017 Gold Cup)
Jamaican troops are worth € 52 million.
The Curacao forces are worth € 11 million.
Curacao has lost 4 of their last 5 matches at the Gold Cup.
Curacao lost 2-0 in 3 of their 4 defeats at the Gold Cup.
Curacao failed to score in 4 of their last 5 matches (Gold Cup).
Tips for Jamaica vs. Curacao Bets
After winning one and drawing one, collecting four points in the process, Jamaica are in the leading position to advance from Group C. One point against Curacao will ensure that they can pass. One point might also be enough for Curacao, who disappointed Honduras last time, even though their fate will depend on what El Salvador did to opponents who were already eliminated.
After they gave their first pleasant appearance, Jamaican fans might expect more from their team in the two-day match, although Reggae Boyz couldn't break against El Salvador, who stood firmly behind. They got a little defensive pressure, only conceding a shot on goal and the expected 0.19 goals, although they also offered a little advance, because they only recorded the expected 0.45 goals. To win this game, Jamaica needed to reproduce the type of attacking display that saw them score three goals and send 1.9 goals expected for a one-day match.
As for Curacao, well, the minnows have already exceeded expectations at this tournament. If they were to stand any chance of progressing, it looked as though Remko Bicentini’s men would need to beat El Salvador on match-day one, so when they lost, their chances of reaching the knockout rounds became very slim. However, despite going into the game as big as 8/1 in places, Curacao managed to beat Honduras last time out. Such a result has not only given them a chance of progressing, but it will also have allowed confidence levels to rise.
As for Curacao, well, small fish has exceeded expectations in this tournament. If they have the chance to advance, it seems that the Remko Bicentini forces need to defeat El Salvador on the day of the match, so when they lose, their chances of reaching the knockout stage are very slim. However, despite going into the game at 8/1 on the spot, Curacao managed to beat Honduras last time. Such results not only give them a chance to advance, but also allow the level of trust to increase.
Curacao must be applauded for their efforts on match-day two, they put themselves on the line, took their chances when it came and then clung on for dear life. That said, we can’t ignore the fact that they were fortunate, as they posted only 0.85 expected goals for and conceded 2.8. Not only did they ship 2.8 expected goals for, but they conceded 29 shots, 11 of which hit the target. Quite simply, if that game was replayed, Honduras would almost certainly win with something in hand, so we shouldn’t get too carried away with the result.
In the betting, despite not being great on match-day two, Jamaica are tough to oppose. Specifically, ‘Jamaica to Win & Over 1.5 Goals’ stands out. With the hosts having delivered 1.9 expected goals against Honduras, they look a good price to score twice on route to victory against a limited Curacao side that has surrendered an average of 1.77 expected goals and that boast an average expected goal difference of -1.17 at this tournament.
Head to Head
This will be just the third renewal of this fixture. Back in 2017, Curacao won by two goals to one, while Jamaica won 2-0 later that same year.
