Mexico Aim to Assert Themselves Over Jamaica Here in Copa America

Mexico vs Jamaica

Two teams that are out to make a good first impression here in the 2024 Copa America are set to square off as Mexico and Jamaica convene at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, this weekend.

Mexico and Jamaica are back in this competition for the first time in a while, as the Copa America committee decided to expand their tournament from 10 to 16 participants.

Both teams are bunched in Group B alongside Ecuador and Venezuela, in what is one of the more competitive groups in the tourney.

The pre-game SBOTOP betting odds expect Mexico to start their campaign on a winning note because of their unbeaten streak over Jamaica. However, the Reggae Boyz have the tools to make this an interesting matchup, to say the least.

Talking Points

Mexico still have a goalie conundrum

With talented attackers, Mexico should have no problems generating Copa America 2024 highlights in the final third. But the same can’t be said about their backline because of their goalkeeper problem.

With Guillermo Ochoa not getting any younger, Jaime Lozano made the tough decision to exclude him from the squad, replacing him with the homegrown trio of Carlos Acevedo, Raul Rangel, and Julio Gonzalez.

During the June international break, Lozano tried two different goalkeepers in their games against Bolivia, Uruguay, and Brazil, which produced different results.

Julio Gonzalez manned the goalpost in their 1-0 win against Bolivia and 3-2 loss against Brazil, while Raul Rangel was the goalie in Mexico’s embarrassing 4-0 defeat against Uruguay.

Luis Malagon was expected to take over for Guillermo Ochoa, but the Club America shotstopper was declared out of the Copa America due to injuries, so here we are.

For Mexico to compensate for their goalie problems, the rest of the squad will have to pick up the slack defencively, and they’re capable of doing that.

Edson Alvarez will be the lynchpin in midfield, and he’ll be joined by Luis Chavez, Carlos Rodriguez, and Luis Romo to cover for Johan Vasquez, Gerardo Arteaga, and Israel Reyes.

Jamaica’s Premier League stars can make a difference

With Mexico likely to implement a low block, Jamaica’s chance of winning this game is by getting the advantage on the counter, where their forwards typically thrive.

Speedy wingers Leon Bailey, Demarai Gray, and Bobby Decordova-Reid can all wreak havoc in transition, while Michail Antonio is going to be their focal point at the No. 9 position.

Bailey posted 10 goals and 10 assists for Aston Villa in the Premier League this past season. Decordova-Reid had six goals and two assists for Fulham, while Antonio tallied six goals and three assists for West Ham United.

Gray, meanwhile, recorded four goals and three assists in his debut campaign with Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League. His season was cut short due to a broken collarbone, but he has recovered just in time for the Reggae Boyz here in the Copa America.

History

Mexico and Jamaica have a history together because they’ve had countless battles in the CONCACAF region.

Their most recent encounter was in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-finals, where El Tri defeated the Reggae Boyz with a score of 3-0, as Henry Martin, Luis Chavez, and Roberto Alvarado all found the back of the net.

After eliminating Jamaica, Mexico went on to beat Panama 1-0 in the final to secure their second CONCACAF Gold Cup in the last four years.

Jamaica haven’t beaten Mexico since their 1-0 result in an international friendly in July 2017 (D2, L3).

In the Copa America, Mexico’s best run was finishing third three times in 1997, 1999, and 2007, while Jamaica have never gotten past the group stage in 2015 or 2016.

Betting Tip

The Copa America 2024 odds expect Mexico to continue their undefeated ways over Jamaica. Mexico are priced at 1.62 to win, whereas Jamaica are 5.10 underdogs, and a draw is at3.46odds in the 1X2 market.

Mexico will likely rely on their defence to win this, but they should score just enough to get all three points. So, other than our recommended bet above, you may want to go for Total Goals 2-3 at 1.89 as the top alternative.

Total Goal 0-1 at 2.81 and Under 2.50 at 1.68 should be considered too, while a Correct Score of 1-0 in favour of Mexico is priced at 5.10.

On the other hand, a Correct Score of 1-0 in favour of Jamaica is at 12.00, while a goalless draw also has a decent payout of 8.20.

 

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