Sports Mole previews Wednesday’s CONCACAF Nations League clash between Costa Rica and Guatemala, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Costa Rica and Guatemala will look to secure a place in the 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals when they face off on Sunday.
Having taken five points from three games, the hosts are currently sitting in second place with two points separating them from Group A leaders Guatemala.
Match preview
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Costa Rica are currently searching for a new permanent head coach after Gustavo Alfaro left his role in August to become Paraguay’s new manager.
Interim boss Claudio Vivas began his second stint in caretaker charge with a commanding 3-0 win over Guadeloupe thanks to goals from Francisco Calvo, Ariel Lassiter and Warren Madrigal.
Costa Rica went on to play out a goalless draw against Guatemala in their final match of the September international break, before they settled for another point on their return to action in Friday’s away meeting with Suriname.
Josimar Alcocer saw his opener cancelled out by Suriname’s Gleofilo Vlijter, before the former was given his marching orders in the 51st minute, leaving Costa Rica to hold out for the majority of the second period.
Los Ticos are assured of a top-four finish and place in Gold Cup qualification, but they are now looking to secure a spot in the Nations League quarter-finals with a top-two finish.
Costa Rica are now preparing for their final group match, knowing they will be guaranteed a quarter-final spot if they beat Guatemala for the first time since recording a 2-1 win in the 2014 Copa Centroamericana.
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Guatemala will head into matchday four in pole position after winning two and drawing one of their three group matches.
They kicked off their Nations League campaign with a 3-1 victory over Martinique, before settling for a goalless draw in the reverse fixture against Costa Rica.
After competing in consecutive home games in September, Costa Rica went on their travels for Friday’s away meeting with Guyana.
An Oscar Santis brace and an Oscar Castellanos effort proved enough to fire Guatemala to a 3-1 victory, extending their unbeaten run to four matches.
Having taken seven points from three matches, Guatemala know they simply need to avoid defeat against Costa Rica to secure their first appearance in the Nations League quarter-finals.
The visitors have experienced mixed fortunes on their travels in the Nations League, having won four, drawn one and lost three of their eight away games in the competition’s history.
Costa Rica CONCACAF Nations League form:
Costa Rica form (all competitions):
Guatemala CONCACAF Nations League form:
Guatemala form (all competitions):
Team News
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Costa Rica’s Alcocer will serve his suspension after being shown a straight red card in the 1-1 draw with Suriname.
Jefferson Brenes was forced off in the first half of Friday’s outing, and the midfielder is now set to miss the final group game against Guatemala.
With Alcocer and Brenes unavailable for selection, Sebastian Acuna and Alvaro Zamora could be given the chance to start Tuesday’s home fixture.
As for the visitors, Alejandro Galindo is unlikely to be involved after he picked up an injury in Friday’s win over Guyana.
Pedro Altan replaced Galindo in the 28th minute of that content, and he is now set to be handed a starting opportunity.
Defender Kevin Ruiz could come into the backline for Jose Pinto, who is a doubt after being withdrawn at half time on matchday three.
Costa Rica possible starting lineup:
Sequeira; Vargas, Calvo, Mitchell; Quiros, Acuna, Lassiter, Campbell; Madrigal, Zamora, Ugalde
Guatemala possible starting lineup:
Hagen; Herrera, Samayoa, Ruiz, Ardon; Castellanos, Franco; Santis, Altan, Mendez-Laing; Rubin
We say: Costa Rica 1-1 Guatemala
Costa Rica and Guatemala had to settle for a share of the spoils when they faced off in Cuidad de Guatemala last month, and with the two teams closely-matched, we think they could play out another draw in Tuesday’s return fixture.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.