Preview: Martinique vs. El Salvador - prediction, team news, lineups

The Caribbean nation will have home advantage for Friday's contest, which will take place at the Stade Pierre-Aliker in Fort-de-France.

Match preview

After failing to record a victory in the first two editions of the Nations League, Martinique came into the 2023-24 competition with hopes of breaking their duck.

Their campaign got off to a disappointing start, as they fell to a 3-0 away victory over Panama, extending their winless run in the Nations League to nine matches.

However, Martinique finally got off the mark in their most recent outing against Curacao, after Brighton Labeau scored the decisive goal to guide his country to a narrow 1-0 victory.

That result left fourth-placed Martinique three points clear of the relegation zone and one point adrift of the two qualification spots for the quarter-finals.

Due to the nature of the new format, which uses the Swiss system, Martinique will not face two of the five other teams in their group, but they will go head-to-head with El Salvador in both of their final two matches.

With the hosts targeting maximum points, they will be able to draw inspiration from the fact they have already beaten El Salvador this year after claiming a 2-1 victory when the two nations met in the group stage of the Gold Cup in June.

El Salvador will go into Friday's contest with a new manager at the helm after Hugo Perez was relieved of his duties following defeats to Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago in the opening two games of the Nations League.

Ruben de la Barrera has subsequently taken over the reins from Perez, and his first challenge is to halt El Salvador's poor run of form.

La Selecta are currently winless in 13 internationals (D4, L8) since winning 3-1 in their home meeting with Grenada in June 2022.

De la Barrera will be looking to make an immediate impact, with El Salvador sitting at the bottom of Group A in League A, leaving them at risk of relegation.

The visitors know they need to pick up at least a point on Friday if they are to avoid being relegated to League B with a game to play.

Martinique CONCACAF Nations League form:

L

W

Martinique form (all competitions):

El Salvador CONCACAF Nations League form:

L

L

El Salvador form (all competitions):

D

L

D

D

L

L

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Team News

Martinique will go into Friday's contest without their record appearance holder Daniel Herelle, who is suspended after being sent off against Curacao last month.

Caen goalkeeper Yannis Clementia will feature in between the posts, and he could be shielded by the central defensive pairing of Jonathan Rivierez and Florent Poulolo.

Having scored four goals in his 11 international appearances, Labeau represents one of the home side's main attacking threats.

As for the visitors, they have confirmed that Narciso Orellana and Amando Moreno will miss Friday's encounter through injury.

Goalkeeper Tomas Romero, who plays for MLS side Toronto FC, is likely to be given the nod for De la Barrera's first game in charge, while Rudy Clavel and Erick Cabalceta could feature in central defence.

Brayan Gil has scored two goals in his last three appearances for his country, and he will have the chance to add to his international tally when he leads the line against Martinique.

Martinique possible starting lineup:

Clementia; Dussaut, Rivierez, Poulolo, Latouchent; Mandouki, Rabathaly; Reuperne, Bilon, Marny; Labeau,

El Salvador possible starting lineup:

Romero; Jimenez, Clavel, Cabalceta, Henriquez; Menjivar, Cartagena, Portillo, Martinez, Rivas; B. Gil

We say: Martinique 2-2 El Salvador

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