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Curacao will play their final game before kicking off in the World Cup on Saturday, when they take on Aruba on home soil in Willemstad.
The hosts begin in the group stage against Germany in mid-June and will aim to get back to winning ways beforehand, while their visitors have managed three straight victories heading into their June friendly.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Curacao vs. Aruba key stats
- Curacao have lost their last three matches.
- Curacao have won the last two H2Hs.
- Aruba are unbeaten in their last four matches while winning their last three.
- Aruba have scored 11 goals in their last three matches.
Curacao vs. Aruba preview: Can Curacao head to the World Cup with a win?
| Curacao | vs | Aruba |
|---|---|---|
| 83 | FIFA Ranking | 188 |
| Eloy Room, Leandro Bacuna (71) | Most Caps | Nickenson Paul (35) |
| Leandro Bacuna (16) | Most Goals | Rovien Ostiana (8) |
| 596 | Total Caps | 203 |
| 69 | Total Goals | 24 |
| 0 | Uncapped Players | 2 |
Curacao's World Cup preparations will come to a head on Saturday, when they play their final friendly before heading to USA for the beginning of their first-ever World Cup campaign next week.
They secured that maiden appearance on the global stage having won their second-round group in CONCACAF qualifying with a perfect record and topped their third-round group to book a spot in the World Cup, winning three and drawing three of their six matches, finishing with a draw against second-placed Jamaica to stay one point ahead and avoid a playoff.
The Blue Waves' preparations have not been successful since, though, as they went into the FIFA Series in March and suffered defeats to China and Australia, before meeting Scotland in a friendly last time out and losing 4-1 despite leading in the first half through Tahith Chong.
Now gearing up for the start of the group stage in a tough group alongside Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast, with a squad headlined by the likes of Leandro Bacuna, Juninho Bacuna, Tahith Chong, Jurgen Locadia and Kenji Gorre, Curacao will hope to bow out with a home friendly win at the weekend before heading to USA and bidding for a historic progression to the knockout stage.
Their opponents, meanwhile, arrive in Willemstad in fine form and for their first outing since March with no World Cup looming.
Indeed, Aruba failed to secure a similar debut on the world stage, having dropped out of CONCACAF Qualifying in their second-round group without a victory, drawing two and losing two of their four games including a 2-0 home defeat to Curacao.
Marvic Bermudez's team have bounced back in impressive fashion since, though, firstly entering the CONCACAF Series first round and drawing with Antigua and Barbuda and beating Barbados 3-0.
A pair of FIFA Series games then came last time out in March, and they managed 4-1 victories over Macau and Liechtenstein, with Jaybrien Romano, Gello Robertha and Rainey Breinburg on the scoresheet alongside an own goal against the latter.
Now facing a clear summer after Saturday's friendly, Aruba will hope to continue building confidence on their return to action and extend a winning run to four games with the scalp of a host who are preparing for the World Cup.
Curacao vs. Aruba form guide & betting tips
| Curacao | vs | Aruba |
|---|---|---|
WDLLL |
Form | LDWWW |
| 9 | Goals For | 11 |
| 11 | Goals Against | 7 |
L |
Friendlies |
Whispers predicts: Curacao 3-1 Aruba
While Curacao are not in fine form since their World Cup qualifying heroics, they did show their quality against American opposition and should bounce back as they gear up for the start of the group stage next week. We fancy them to win both halves at 7/10 (1.70).
Aruba will cause a threat for their hosts, though, having scored 11 goals in their last three matches while Curacao have conceded 11 goals in their last three. Both Teams to Score is priced at 6/4 (2.50).
Given both sides' free-scoring record against similar opposition and defensive frailties, we see over 3.5 goals as good value at 4/5 (1.80).
> Curacao to win both halves at 7/10 (1.70) | Likelihood: Likely
> Both Teams to Score at 6/4 (2.50) | Likelihood: Possible
> Over 3.5 goals at 4/5 (1.80) | Likelihood: Probable