Belgium vs Mexico
After finishing first in the CONCACAF qualifiers, Mexico will now have a chance to test how they will fare against a top European team ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Sports betting fans might not be putting much thought on this game as it is still a friendly in name, but for a Mexican team looking to get primed for the Russian festivities next year, football games like this are as real as it gets.
Currently 16th in the FIFA rankings, Mexico won’t have the betting odds on their side against the heavily favoured Belgians, who are the fifth-ranked team in the world. However, it’s clear El Tri boss Juan Carlos Osorio is determined to win after he called up his best players available.
In-form Europe-based attackers Hirving Lozano and Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez lead the Mexican team that will visit Brussels. The Dos Santos brothers, Giovani and Jonathan, were also selected to add more depth in the midfield.
Moreover, Mexico youngsters Cesar Montes, Uriel Antuna and Omar Govea were drafted to give Osorio additional options, as well as an opportunity to experiment and see who he could include in the official squad.
Playing Belgium, of course, is no easy task despite Mexico’s all-in approach. The Red Devils will be without some high-profile players, but they are still oozing with quality with Romelu Lukaku, Michy Batshuayi, Dries Mertens and Kevin De Bruyne set to feature in the match.
Not to mention that boss Roberto Martinez also named Adnan Januzaj and Radja Nainggolan in the team to give them some boost amid the slew of injuries.
It remains to be seen how Osorio will set up his team against a Belgium side boasting top-tier offensive firepower. After all, it should be remembered that Mexico were largely criticised for their 0-7 loss to Chile in the 2016 Copa America and their 4-1 humbling to Germany in the recent Confederations Cup.
A win here will give Mexico some much-needed confidence, though I doubt Belgium—quarterfinalists in the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016—will go easy on them.
The home outfit have what it takes to reign supreme despite their depleted squad, and I don’t think they will lose. Nonetheless, El Tri should be able to keep it close and win on Asian Handicap +1.25 that pays at 1.83.
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
