Our prediction for this match:
Empower Field at Mile High will be the centre of attention when Mexico and Uruguay lock horns in a friendly on Thursday morning. Mexico defeated Bolivia 1-0 thanks to Efrain Alvarez’s goal despite the fact that boss Jaime Lozano did not count on key players. The 45-year-old tactician is likely to stick to his rotation policy, with all Huescas, Lopez, and Garcia pushing for a start.
La Celeste, on the other hand, played out a goalless draw with Costa Rica at the weekend and yet another close encounter is on the cards. Taking everything into account, we believe that there is a big value in betting on draw. Real Madrid ace Federico Valverde is unlikely to be risked after participating in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, while all Acosta, Ginella, and Teuten are pushing for recalls to the starting XI. Marcelo Bielsa is likely to stick to the 4-4-2 formation.
Highlighted Team (Mexico):
Football was brought below the United States border by European immigrants who build the foundations for what went on to become one of the most prominent footballing nations in the world. El Tri have qualified to the total of 15 World Cups and have become one of six nations to qualify successfully for the tournament since 1994.
Alongside Brazil and Germany, Mexico are the only country to make it past the group stage over the last six World Cups so it is fair to say that miners from Cornwall and Spanish exiles fleeing the Civil War made a pretty good job embedding the football gene. Mexico are the reigning CONCACAF champions having beaten the surprise package Jamaica 3-1 in the final. Juan Carlos Osorio’s team is captained by Rafael Marquez who is the fourth most-capped player behind Gerrardo Torrado, Pavel Pardo and Claudio Suarez.
Bayer Leverkusen striker Javier Hernandez is the team’s biggest star and current squad’s top scorer with 81 goals to his name. Chicharito is only eight goals behind Jared Borgetti who is the nation’s top scorer.