League A finales in CNL head up week in Concacaf

MIAMI, Florida – The October window of the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League comes to an end this week, including the final matches in the group stage of League A

League A

While two teams from Group B have advanced to the quarterfinals in the form of Jamaica and Honduras, there is still a wide-open race for four teams in Group A, with things to be decided on Tuesday night.

One of the key matches will pit hosts Panama against Guatemala in Panama City. The two sides have already met in the group stage in Guatemala City in an entertaining 1-1 draw in which a second half goal from Oscar Santis rescued a point for Guatemala.

Now they meet again with Panama in second-place with seven points and Guatemala in fourth-place with four points. It is a must-win for both. Right behind Panama in third-place is Martinique with six points, so a draw or defeat for Panama and a win for Martinique against El Salvador would mean the Caribbean side would leapfrog the Canaleros and finish in the top two.

The only result that Guatemala can consider is a victory by a two-goal margin and then hope that Martinique do not defeat El Salvador. That would lift Guatemala over Martinique in the table and give Guatemala the necessary goal difference to pass Panama in the table.

Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago must still navigate a tricky visit to Curacao to ensure their top two finish. The Soca Warriors are in first-place with nine points and can secure the top spot with a win. However, a defeat to Curacao combined with a Panama win and a sizable victory for Martinique might leave Trinidad and Tobago on the outside looking in.

League B

Three of the four groups in League B will be in action on Monday and Tuesday nights to round out their October windows before the decisive final two-game slate in November.

Nicaragua in Group B and Guyana in Group D can take big steps toward their promotion hopes with victories on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

Nicaragua own a three-point lead in the group over Dominican Republic and host Montserrat, while Guyana can double their three-point advantage in the group over Puerto Rico with another three points against the Boricuas.

Group C has a compelling race as well and an absolutely massive affair will take place on Monday in French Guiana where French Guiana will host Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. French Guiana made a strong move up the table thanks to their 4-1 win at Saint Vincent and the Grenadines last Friday, and now just two points shy of leaders Vincy Heat (6 points), French Guiana can jump ahead into first with a full three points in front of their home fans.

League C

There are some notable contests in League C as well, including Saint Martin hosting Anguilla on Monday with a chance to give themselves a six-point lead in the group and put themselves on the brink of promotion.

Tuesday sees Cayman Islands and US Virgin Islands meet in Group B with a chance for the winner to draw within two points of group leaders Aruba (6 points), while in Group C British Virgin Islands (4 points) can put some pressure on Dominica (4 points) by collecting a victory against Turks and Caicos Islands (0 points) on Monday to give BVI a three-point edge going into the final window.