Mexico vs USA Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | Friendlies, October 16, 2024

Mexico vs USA Preview

Tournament: International Friendly
Date: Wednesday, October 16.
Kick-off Time: 2:30 am GMT.
Venue: Estadio AKRON, Mexico.

In the latest iteration of one of the biggest rivalries in world football at the moment, Mexico takes on the USA in an international friendly this week. This is always a very tightly contested match and this one is expected to be no different.

Mexico are in an unusual moment. What has been a very solid national team for decades, is now at a stage where they are rebuilding but the quality of the production line remains in doubt. Right now they are ranked 17th in the world by FIFA and in this game will be looking to prove their worth.

The USA on the other hand are in a very interesting stage. While the strength of their squad is much spoken about, they now have a big-game manager in Mauricio Pochettino. This international break is the first for Poch and he has a blockbuster encounter straight up to contend with. They are 18th in the FIFA rankings.

Mexico National Football Team News

Mexico have a top-tier striking talent in the form of Santiago Gimenez but the biggest challenge will be who steps up in his absence. Maybe youngster Marcelo Flores who came through the Arsenal academy, could be the man for the job. Manager Javier Aguirre doesn’t have any other injury issues to worry about.

USA National Football Team News

Mauricio Pochettino’s men have a couple of injury issues with Juventus duo Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie both expected to miss out through injury. They have an exciting young bunch of players though especially in midfield and attack. The former Chelsea, PSG and Spurs boss has the chance here to test young talents like Tanner Tessman, Ricardo Pepi, and Malik Tillman.

Mexico vs USA Head to head

Mexico and USA play each other pretty regularly and so the head-to-head numbers are quite big. Mexico have won 38 times, while the USA have come out victorious on 25 occasions. 26 games have ended in draws.

Last 5 H2H results

Mexico vs USA Predicted lineups

Mexico national football team predicted lineup:

Goalkeeper – Ochoa

Defenders – Araujo, Guzman, Vasquez, Angulo

Midfielders – Romo, Lira, Alvarez, Lainez, Alvarado

Forward – Jimenez

USA national football team predicted lineup:

Goalkeeper – Turner

Defenders – Scally, McKenzie , Ream

Midfielders – Musah Tessmann, Busio, Robinson

Forwards – Wright, Pepi, Pulisic

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Key players to watch in Mexico vs USA

Raul Jimenez (Mexico)

Mexico’s biggest hope for at least the time being, is Fulham striker Raul Jimenez coming back into form this season. Significantly slowed down since picking up a head injury, Jimenez has discovered form again this season. At Fulham this season he has begun to look like the Raul Jimenez of old, scoring goals and being an elite all round attacker. He has a total of 34 goals for his country. This match could be good time to show that.

Christian Pulisic (USA)

Christian Pulisic is finally delivering on the promise that he showed as a young player at Borussia Dortmund. Now the captain of his national time, Pulisic is someone who takes responsibility in big games such as this. He has scored 5 and assisted 2 in 7 league games for Milan already this season. Pulisic despite his age has made 74 appearances for his country in which he has found the back of the net 31 times.

Mexico vs USA Prediction

USA are looking to become a team reborn and their many younger players will be very eager to make this about themselves. Mexico aren’t at their best but in this game, they will through everything at the USA. Still expect the Americans to win purely given the superior quality of players in their squad.

Prediction: Mexico 1-2 USA

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