Verdict: Mexico win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Looking to book their spot in the final of this year’s Gold Cup, Mexico will meet Honduras in Santa Clara in the early hours of Thursday.
Mexico
Starting with Mexico, extending on their Gold Cup adventure last week as they clinched what was a routine 2-0 victory against Saudi Arabia, El Tricolor will be desperately seeking a repeat performance here. Enjoying a real summer romp and continuing to receive a string of plaudits, Javier Aguirre’s men are pencilled in as a standout contender when they travel to Santa Clara on Thursday. Mustering seven points from their three group stage appearances and not really having to get out of third gear, Mexico will also be excited by their recent defensive steel. Not shipping a single goal in all of their last three consecutive Gold Cup appearances, the one-time Espanyol boss has also seen his summer title contender record a clean sheet in four of their previous five matchups across all competitions.
Mexico Team News
While West Ham star Edson Alvarez might be linked with a move away from east London this summer, the 27-year-old will lead Mexico out on Thursday and earn a 91st international cap. Opening his Gold Cup account against the Dominican Republic on June 15th, Fulham striker Raul Jimenez will play a leading role in the middle of the park.
Despite making just 12 Premier League appearances after arriving at Bournemouth last summer, Julian Araujo will start at right-back. AC Milan marksman Santiago Tomas Gimenez will have to settle for a spot on the bench.
Honduras
As for Honduras, securing what was a famous penalty shootout victory against Panama last weekend, La Bicolor have enjoyed a record-breaking summer so far. However, although Reindaldo Rueda’s men might be enjoying what has been an extended purple patch, the former Flamengo boss will be bracing himself for a monumental challenge when his squad travels to Santa Clara on Thursday. Getting their Gold Cup adventure underway with a 6-0 drumming at the hands of Canada, Honduras should also be concerned by their most recent showdown against Mexico. Falling to a routine 4-0 defeat when they travelled to Toluca back on November 20th, it is no surprise that Rueda’s camp are regarded as a landslide underdog in midweek.
Honduras Team News
Coming off the bench and bagging what was a famous Gold Cup strike against Panama last weekend, former Girona forward Choco Lozano will be hoping for a full recall here. The 32-year-old could replace Jorge Benguche in the final third.
Now playing his domestic football with Costa Rican-based outfit Saprissa, one-time Sporting Lisbon youngster Fidel Escobar will start at the heart of Rueda’s defence. Toronto FC’s Deybi Aldair Flores will partner Kervin Arriaga in the middle of the park.
Mexico vs Honduras Key Factors to Consider
- When Mexico and Honduras last met on November 20th, El Tricolor collected a stellar 4-0 victory on home soil.
- Including their 2-0 win against Saudi Arabia last weekend, Mexico have not conceded a single goal in their previous three Gold Cup appearances.
- Likewise, Mexico have recorded a clean sheet in four of their last five matchups across all competitions.
- Despite opening their Gold Cup adventure with a 6-0 drumming against Canada on June 18th, Honduras have won all of their other six appearances across all fronts.
- None of the last nine straight meetings between Mexico and Honduras have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Cruising their way to a final four ticket last weekend as they clinched a 2-0 victory against Saudi Arabia, Mexico will certainly be seeking a repeat performance when they travel to Santa Clara here. Enjoying what has been a real summer romp and finding some crucial defensive steel, El Tricolor are pencilled in as a standout contender in the early hours of Thursday. Likewise, landing a 4-0 romp when they last met Honduras back in November, we are expecting a similar outcome in midweek.
Verdict: Mexico win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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