The second half of the Sunday-Monday double header in the Copa America sees the two standout sides in Group C taking centre stage when Mexico and Uruguay do battle in Arizona.
With the other two sides among the weakest in the competition you would think these two will qualify for the quarter finals from this group so this could well act as a group decider with the winners of this match potentially avoiding Argentina in the next round.
There is a form side going into this tournament. It isn’t Argentina. It isn’t Brazil. It isn’t even Uruguay, Colombia or the United States. It is Mexico. They are unbeaten in their last 19 matches and have won their last seven without conceding a single goal. Not all of the opposition have been up to much but even so that is a crazy record.
Mexico have juggled their squads here for this tournament and the Olympics next month so it will be interesting to see if they can maintain that form although on the face of it there isn’t a lot wrong with the squad they’ve named for this tournament. It is a squad which includes Rafael Marquez.
One of the form sides from the South American continent heading into this tournament is without a doubt Uruguay. Along with Ecuador they lead the way in qualifying for the World Cup and having had to play so long without Luis Suarez they seem to be relishing having him back again.
Uruguay were champions of this tournament in 2011 but their title defence didn’t go to plan but there was no Suarez in that competition. It might be that this Uruguay side are out for a bit of redemption in this tournament which could make them very dangerous.
Team news
Mexico are set to include both Javier Hernandez and Rafael Marquez for this match while the experienced Oribe Peralta is set to start from the bench. Jesus Corona and Raul Jimenez could flank Chicharito up front.
Uruguay could be without Luis Suarez for this tournament opener which would be a blow but there is no point risking him if he isn’t fully fit given what is to come later in the competition. That could mean Abel Hernandez, fresh from playoff glory with Hull back in England, will partner Edinson Cavani up top.
Head to head
These two nations are no strangers to each other. This will be the 20th time they have met which when you think they are not from the same continent is quite a lot. Mexico have a 7-5 winning record and they have drawn seven times too. Uruguay have won the previous two meetings by a single goal to nil.
Betting
Regardless of the previous records I’m expecting this to be a tight match. I don’t think it would be wrong for either side to look at this and think whatever happens here they will win the other two matches and qualify but at the same time I don’t think a draw is a bad result for them by any means.
Mexico have to be believing they are invincible right now with the run they are on but Uruguay have never lacked for confidence either. The foundations of the success for both nations is a tight and organised defence and I don’t see that changing here.
It remains to be seen how potent Uruguay can or will be without Suarez but Mexico are missing the likes of Giovani dos Santos and Carlos Vela so they might not be as fluent in attack straight from the get go in this tournament either.
This looks a tight match to me and I don’t expect many goals. In fact I think there is every chance this one follows the trend of Saturday night and finishes goalless given how strong they both are defensively. Goals very much at a premium here I suspect.
Tips
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