Our prediction for this match:
After failing to qualify for EURO 2020, Serbia are determined to book their place at the 2022 World Cup finals. New boss Dragan Stojkovic helped the team regain a much-needed confidence, and the former Crvena Zvezda ace will surely use upcoming friendlies to test as many players as possible. Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Real Madrid attacker Luka Jovic, and Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic have all been omitted, but Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic will lead the line for the Serbs against Jamaica.
The Reggae Boyz experienced all sorts of problems at the back in a 4-1 loss to USA, and it is no wonder they are seen as underdogs in Monday’s friendly. Considering that Serbia have been making progress week by week ever since Dragan Stojkovic took over the reins, we are tempted to put our money on the Eagles this time out.
Highlighted Player (Nemanja Matic):
Nemanja Matic is a Serbian footballer who plays for Premier League side Chelsea. The 194-cm-tall midfielder was born on 1 August, 1988 and he began his football career (youth) at Radnicki Obrenovac.
In 2005 he signed for Kolubara and after impressing with Kosice in the 2008/2009 campaign, Chelsea owners decided to sign him. Nemanja spent the 2010/2011 season on loan at Vitesse and at the end of the season he signed a deal with Portuguese giants Benfica, with David Luiz heading in the other direction.
Matic was in the form of his life in the 2013/2014 Primeira Liga campaign and he helped the Eagles clinch the domestic trophy. He rejoined Chelsea in 2014 for a fee of €25M and he helped the Blues win the Premier League title in the 2014/2015 season. Nemanja Matic has also developed into a key member of the Serbian national team that have been largely struggling of late.
Highlighted Team (Jamaica):
The Reggae Boyz are enjoying in their 2014 Copa Centroamericana title and are looking forward to their second-ever entry into the Copa America. Jamaica took positives from their debut in the competition last year in Chile despite going out in the group stage and will now be willing to make one step further.
The country had more success later in the summer when Winfried Schafer’s men knocked off the United States in the semi-finals of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The Reggae Boyz were ultimately stopped in the final as they lost to Mexico, but the ticket to 2016 Copa America was enough of a reward itself as four highest finishers were guaranteed a place at the competition.
Jamaica stepped onto the international scene with a 2-1 win over Haiti in 1925 and have so far qualified only once for the FIFA World Cup in 1998. It was not until 1965 that Jamaica made their first attempt to qualify for the World Cup though.