Get ready to rumble as Mexico will look for
revenge after last year’s World Cup defeat at the hands of Uruguay. There is a
slim hope that Mexico will see the next round of this year’s Copa America, but
it relies on other results.
It looks to be all over bar the shouting
for both Uruguay and Mexico as they sit bottom (Mexico) and second bottom (Uruguay)
of the group, both winless after two games. However from the depths of despair
sometimes shoots the brightest of stars. It’s do or die for Mexico, as they have to not only beat Uruguay but hope
that Costa Rico defeat Argentina (in Group A) to go through. If they draw or
lose to Uruguay, that’s it and adios amigos.
Because Costa Rica play on the 11th of July
the fate of Mexico may already be decided before they kick a ball on Wednesday
night. In that case, if Mexico are out (if Argentina beat Costa Rica, which
they should) then bet hard on a despondent Mexico folding and capitulating
before heading home with their tail between their legs.
Uruguay at least have their fate in their
own hands as they will progress through to the next round if they defeat Mexico
(regardless of results elsewhere). If they lose to the Mexicans (remember the
Alamo) then they will be out of the Copa America, until next time. A draw would
require Costa Rica beating Argentina, for Uruguay to advance.
The complex permutations are due to the
fact that the Copa America sees the teams finishing first and second (in each
group) plus two of the best-placed third teams in each group qualify for the
quarterfinals. Bad news for Uruguay and bad news for anyone who fancied betting
on a high scoring game, is that Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani may miss the Mexico
clash. The team’s doctor (Alberto Pan) claims he needs to rest a knee injury that the 24-year-old sustained during Friday's 1-1
draw against Chile. “Cavani has a light sprain to his right knee and he is
having treatment. Obviously he must rest now," Pan reported to Il Corriere
dello Sport.
A
whisper of good news, to shout about
It’s not all bad news for Mexico as their
Under 17 team won the U-17 Fifa World Championship (which they also hosted)
after a 2-0 victory over Uruguay in the final in Mexico City last Sunday. If
you reckon that the grown-ups will match the result you can get betting odds of
+3300 on that score with both Bodog and Victor Chandler. The U-17s opened the
scoring on 31 minutes thanks to Antonio Briseno and kept Uruguay at bay until
Giovani Casillas' second-half stoppage-time goal allowed a huge sigh of relief
(and some enthusiastic partying).The victory was Mexico's second U-17 world
title, following on from their a victory over Peru in 2005.
For whom the bell tolls
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez knows that none
of these teams are too big to fail at this stage. He is well aware that, his
team, Argentina and Brazil all face vital matches in the group stage's final
round. "It is hard to believe that these sides can go out so early, but it
can happen," the 'Maestro' told reporters during a press conference on
Sunday evening.
Looking at the last six meetings between
these sides suggests that the game will end with three points going somewhere
as they have only managed one draw (2-2 back in 2004) out of their last six
meetings. Still a stalemate is at +260 in the soccer odds. What’s more
interesting is that every single game (of the six) has seen at least one goal scored, if you think that the trend
will be well and truly bucked you can get +700 on the game ending 0-0.
But Uruguay haven’t lost since 2009 when
they went down 2-1 to Germany, and I feel that Uruguay will keep to winning
ways. There’s been 18 goals (ten for Mexico and eight for Uruguay) in these six
matched and on this occasion I’m letting the maths do the talking. I predict
three goals (the average) to be scored. As an aside; over 2.5 goals is at +125 in the soccer lines.
Four of the games between these sides have recorded over 2.25 goals, and the
other two have been under. Although
looking at the previous games 3-1 has been the most popular score line,
(occurring twice and both times in Mexico’s favour). If you think the game will
end that way it’s at +6600 with bet365 but I feel that Mexico will be beaten by
Uruguay.
Prediction: 2-1 Uruguay (+800)