With visitors Jamaica hoping to pick up their third win in their CONCACAF World Cup qualifying group, they will travel to face British Virgin Islands on Saturday at A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground.

The hosts are last in sixth place with no points after three rounds of matches, losing 3-0 against Dominica on Wednesday, while Jamaica are second with six points from six and beat Dominica 3-2 on June 9.

Match preview

British Virgin Islands failed to score for the seventh time in eight matches when they faced Dominica, and they are one of only two teams alongside Anguilla to have not found the back of the net across all six CONCACAF groups.

The home side have conceded 10 goals in their three qualifying games so far, and they have shipped three or more goals in four of their past seven outings in all competitions.

Boss Chris Kiwomya’s side are currently ranked by FIFA as the world’s 207th best footballing nation, the fourth-worst position of all officially ranked teams.

British Virgin Islands are winless in 10 matches – losing eight times – though they have drawn two of their four most recent fixtures.

The Nature Boys will hope to avoid losing a fourth consecutive home game when they play the visitors, but it should be noted that they achieved victory in two of their prior three at A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground.

As for Jamaica, they were leading 3-0 before Dominica netted their first in the 82nd minute, and the close scoreline was not reflective of the victors’ dominance given they created six big chances but conceded two of the three shots on target they faced.

Head coach Steve McClaren did oversee a defeat against Nigeria on penalties after drawing 2-2 on May 31 in his side’s most recent match, and his team have now conceded five goals in their past two, whereas they had only conceded two in their previous four.

The Reggae Boyz are in strong goalscoring form, with the nation finding the back of the net eight times in their past three.

McClaren’s team avoided defeat in the five games prior to their loss against Nigeria, winning on three occasions.

Jamaica’s record on their travels is mixed as while they have triumphed in two of their six most recent fixtures away from home, they also lost twice and drew once in that period.

British Virgin Islands World Cup Qualifying - North Central America form:

British Virgin Islands form (all competitions):

Jamaica World Cup Qualifying - North Central America form:

Jamaica form (all competitions):

Team News

British Virgin Islands could start attacking midfielder Luka Chalwell in a supportive role behind centre-forward Javaun Splatt.

The duo may be stationed in front of a double pivot consisting of T'Sharne Gallimore and Joel Mars, while centre-backs Momchil Yordanov and Jerry Wiltshire are likely to be positioned ahead of goalkeeper Frankie Beckles.

Meanwhile, Jamaica are certain to select winger Leon Bailey, and the Aston Villa forward could be joined in the frontline by Tyreece Campbell, Demarai Gray and Rumarn Burrell.

Midfielders Joel Latibeaudiere and Isaac Hayden are candidates to start in the middle of the pitch ahead of central defenders Damion Lowe and Mason Holgate.

British Virgin Islands possible starting lineup:

Beckles; Javier, Yordanov, Wiltshire, Bertie; Forbes, Gallimore, Mars, Lacey; Chalwell; Splatt

Jamaica possible starting lineup:

Blake; Lembikisa, Lowe, Holgate, Bell; Latibeaudiere, Hayden; Bailey, Campbell, Gray; Burrell

We say: British Virgin Islands 0-3 Jamaica

It would be highly surprising if British Virgin Islands managed to earn any points against a talented Jamaica side.

Considering the hosts have been poor in defence and attack, they could could struggle to get on the scoresheet, and they may face numerous chances on Saturday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Lewis Nolan

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