Prediction: Mexico vs Australia

Prediction: Match to end in draw

Best Odds: 14/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Mexico and Australia will lock horns with each other in a friendly international match this weekend. The game between Javier Aguirre’s side and Tony Popovic’s team will be held at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California and is scheduled to kick off at 3am UK time on Sunday.

Mexico

Mexico will use the friendly international match against Australia as one of their final preparations for the 2026 World Cup finals this summer. El Tri will face Serbia next Friday, too.

Javier Aguirre’s side will head into the match against Australia on the back of a 2-0 win against Ghana. Mexico will face South Africa, South Korea and the Czech Republic in Group A at the 2026 World Cup finals.

Aguirre will also name his Mexico squad for the World Cup after the match against Australia. The manager said: “Putting together the list is a complex process. We try to find the 26 best Mexican players who are best suited to the situation. Playing thousands of miles away is not the same as playing at home. That gives you the strength to play better.”

Team News:

Mexico are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Australia. Rangel will be in goal. Sanchez, Montes, Vasquez and Gallardo will be the four defenders. Ed. Alvarez and Romo will be deployed as the two holding midfielders. Pineda, Chavez and Quinones will be the three attacking midfielders. Berterame will lead the line for Mexico.

Australia

Just like Mexico, Australia are getting ready to play at the 2026 World Cup finals this summer. The Socceroos have been pitted against the USA, Paraguay and Turkey in Group D.

Australia have two friendly international matches to play before the 2026 World Cup finals kick off for them. After the game against Mexico on Sunday, they will take on Switzerland on Saturday.

Socceroos manager Popovic said ahead of the game against Mexico: “Now that we’re planning travel, and the Mexico game, I think that will really highlight what we’re here for, so it’s starting to feel real now.

”But on a personal level, it felt real having to tell some players that they won’t be remaining. 

“That was something that I didn’t look forward to. I didn’t want to do it, and I knew when we did this camp that that will be a situation that I needed to face.

“The easier way was to do it differently, to just wait for a few weeks [without staging a camp], take a chance on how [players’] fitness is, and just pick a squad. 

“[Instead] we had to disappoint some boys; obviously, they won’t see the growth they’ve made to get to this point and then just miss out, because everyone wants to go to a World Cup.

“That wasn’t an easy three or four hours to digest. But, I’ve said this to a few of the staff, you feel sadness in having to do it, relief that you’ve done it, but also clarity; so I had all those emotions as you’re talking to the players. 

“Clear that the right thing was done, but not enjoying the process of doing it.

“I think that was the first time I really felt like ‘okay, we’re at a World Cup’ when I saw the players face-to-face. 

“Unfortunately, I’ll have to do that again in a few days, which will be tough. But also the positive part of that is that once the squad is decided, well, that’s the group that’s going to the World Cup.”

Team News:

Australia are likely to line up in a 5-4-1 formation against Mexico. Ryan will be in goal for Australia. Italiano, Trewin, Circati, Degenek and Rowles will be the five defenders. Metcalfe, O’Neill, Robertson and Mabil will be in midfield. Boyle will lead the line for Australia.

Key Factors to Consider

• Mexico have won 4 of their last 6 friendly games.
• Mexico have drawn 2 of their last 6 friendly games.
• Australia have won 3 of their last 6 friendly matches.
• Australia have lost 3 of their last 6 friendly matches.
• Australia have won 2 of their last 3 matches against Mexico.

Conclusion

Both Mexico and Australia are good teams, and the friendly international between the two sides will be competitive. It is likely that it will end in a draw.

Prediction: Match to end in draw

Best Odds: 14/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet