Curacao vs Jamaica Prediction: Advocaat takes on McClaren

Curacao have never qualified for the Fifa World Cup, but they are bang in the race to feature at the 2026 edition. They are currently sat in second in the third and final round of Concacaf qualifying, having picked up four points from two games so far.

The team currently occupying first place, and the automatic qualifying spot for the World Cup, is Jamaica - who visit them for this crucial encounter (00:00 BST, Saturday). Below you can find my Curacao vs Jamaica predictions.

Team News

Curacao are set to be without Riechedly Bazoer for this break, but there are a few names you will be familiar with in their squad. Middlesbrough’s Sontje Hansen is set to win his first cap having pledged his allegiance to the island nation having played youth football for the Netherlands. 

Leandro Bacuna and his brother Juninho should line up in midfield, with the former Aston Villa man now playing his football for Bandirmaspor in Turkey. The manager? That would be former Netherlands manager Dick Advocaat, although he will be without star midfielder Tahith Chong, who was injured for Sheffield United a couple of weeks ago. 

Former Coventry City forward Gervane Kastaneer has hit five goals in qualifying and should start ahead of Jurgen Locadia. 

Football Odds

Steve McClaren’s Jamaica side have been boosted by the return of goalkeeper and captain Andre Blake, as well as Ethan Pinnock, Amari’i Bell, Joel Latibeaudiere, Bobby De Cordova-Reird and Demarai Gray. They are all back fit and ready to feature, along with QPR striker Rumarn Burrell.

Kasey Palmer, Karoy Andersen, Isaac Hayden and Bailey Cadamarteri are all plying their trade in the Championship, and McClaren’s squad certainly takes on an EFL feel. Leon Bailey remains out of action, along with Michail Antonio as he searches for a new club. 

World Cup Odds

Today's Football Fixtures

Curacao vs Jamaica Odds

Curacao are 11/5 to win this game, making Jamaica the 5/4 favourites. That gives the away side an implied win probability of 44%, while a draw is priced up at 21/10. 

Over 3.5 goals is 10/3, BTTS is 10/11 and the home side are 9/4 to keep a clean sheet in this one. 

Jamaica to win @ 5/4 

Although I love Curacao’s recent progress and would love them to feature at the World Cup, I think they will have to battle it out for second place. Jamaica are one of the big boys in Concacaf qualifying and even though they were missing some of their star names, they won both September qualifiers, beating Bermuda 4-0 and Trinidad and Tobago 2-0. 

They were disappointing at the Gold Cup over the summer, but now look ready to make a charge for the World Cup. Curacao meanwhile beat Bermuda 3-2 and drew 0-0 with Trinidad and Tobago, so you can see there should be some disparity between these two teams on the pitch. McClaren is loving life in Jamaica and could lead them to only their second-ever World Cup appearance.

Half-time handicap - Jamaica -1 @ 9/1

Jamaica have been pretty fast starters recently, and they raced into a two-goal lead by half-time against Bermuda. Although Curacao are step up in opposition, I also believe that Jamaica could put them to the sword early on, based upon their varied and talented attack. 

They led 1-0 against Trinidad and Tobago at half-time and given they don’t seem to be conceding too many goals - so I think it’s worth a small punt on them to fly out of the traps again - this time against their nearest qualification rivals. They last qualified for a World Cup back in 1998, but they could party their way to North America in 2026 with a win here. 

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