Mexico vs New Zealand Preview, Prediction, Lineups and Team News | International Friendly

Preview

Date – Sunday, 8th September, 2024
Kick Off Time – 01:00 GMT
Venue – Rose Bowl, California

Mexico take on New Zealand in an international friendly later this week. This is practice for both sides before they enter qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Mexico is ranked 17th by FIFA but this current crop of players has failed to set the stage alight. Even in the 2024 Copa America, they were poor.

New Zealand, on the other hand, are ranked a lowly 94, and this is clearly reflected in their form. Darren Bazeley’s side are winless in their last 6 international friendlies.

Mexico vs New Zealand Team News

Mexico National Football Team News

Mexico have a new manager in the form of Javier Aguirre, who will manage this team for a third time, guiding them to the round of 16 at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups. While the side lacks the all-round strength of previous versions of this team, they are still very strong in certain places like in terms of strikers.

New Zealand National Football Team News

New Zealand have been ruthlessly dominant within the Oceania region but there would be massive red flags about their form outside of the OFC. Manager Darren Bazeley has chosen an experienced squad but question marks remain about the quality.

Predicted Lineups

Mexico national football team predicted lineup:

Padilla; Araujo, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo; Pineda, Romo, Chavez; Lainez, Gimenez, Vega

New Zealand national football team predicted lineup:

Crocombe; Payne, Tuiloma, Smith, Cacace; Bell, Stamenic; Garbett, Waine, Just; Wood

Mexico vs New Zealand Prediction

Both sides aren’t having their greatest moment but we still expect Mexico to have more firepower up front to take this one. It is expected to be a low-scoring encounter so a 1-0 win over Mexico could be on the cards.

Predicted Score: Mexico 1-0 New Zealand

Also Read: Serbia vs Spain player ratings as Euro winners are held to a draw

Head to head

These two sides have played each other 5 times. Mexico have won each of those games. The most recent encounter came in 2017, which Mexico won 2-1.

2017/06/21- Mexico 2-1 New Zealand

2016/10/09- Mexico 2-1 New Zealand

2013/11/20- New Zeland 2-4 Mexico

2013/11/14- Mexico 5-1 New Zealand

2011/06/02- Mexico 3-0 New Zealand

Key players to watch in Mexico vs New Zealand

Santiago Gimenez (Mexico)

Most followers of Dutch football were surprised that Santiago Gimenez didn’t move to a bigger club this summer. The striker is a natural-born finisher in front of goal and has started this season on fire. He is a big hope for El Tri.

Chris Wood (New Zealand)

Chris Wood is one of New Zealand’s top appearance makers of all time and also their record goalscorer. The Nottingham Forest striker is the best player in the current team and his performance will have a big bearing on this game.

Where to Watch Mexico vs New Zealand Live?