Prediction: Mexico vs Brazil

Verdict: Brazil win 

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Luckster

Desperate to find some kind of stability, Brazil will travel over to Texas when they meet Mexico in the early hours of Sunday.

Mexico

Starting with Mexico, suffering Nations League heartbreak during March’s international break as they fell to a 2-0 loss against the USA, El Tricolor have continued to show some real issues over the past the year. Last seen earlier in the week putting in a nightmare performance as they slumped to a 4-0 drumming against Uruguay in Denver, Jaime Lozano could already have some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Signing off 2023 with an action-packed 3-2 defeat against Colombia, Mexico have won just a quartet of their previous 11 appearances across all competitions. Likewise, suffering a 2-0 defeat when they last met Brazil back in July 2018, Lozano’s inconsistent squad are pencilled in as a real underdog contender when they travel to Texas this weekend.

Team News

While Hirving Lozano might have secured a move to MLS outfit San Diego FC earlier in the week, the now-former PSV star has shockingly not been included in Mexico’s squad. Forced to settle for a spot on the bench during their 4-0 drumming against Uruguay in midweek, Feyenoord ace Santiago Gimenez should be handed a full recall in Texas.

Enjoying what was an impressive maiden campaign with Premier League outfit West Ham last season, skipper Edson Alvarez will lead Mexico out on Sunday and earn a 78th international cap this weekend.

Brazil

As for Brazil, while the South American giants might have opened the New Year with a gritty 1-0 victory away at European giants England, it is no secret that the Selecao are at the heart of a real wobble. Making the decision to appoint new boss Dorival Junior back in January, the former Sao Paulo boss appears to have a real job on his hands. Getting their World Cup qualifying adventure off to a nightmare start last year, the five-time world champions have also registered just a single victory from any of their previous six appearances across all fronts. With the feel of a squad seeking a much-welcomed boost this weekend, Brazil have continued to show some rather glaring defensive issues. In fact, despite being pencilled in as a real standout contender when they travel to Texas here, Junior’s men have remarkably recorded just a pair of clean sheets from any of their last 14 consecutive outings.

Team News

Finding the net at Wembley last week and crowned a Champions League winner with Real Madrid at Wembley, attacking talisman Vinicius Junior will feature in the early hours of Sunday. Despite having a potential long-term ban hanging over his head, West Ham midfield Lucas Paqueta has been included in Brazil’s squad.

Although Manchester City striker Ederson might have suffered a fractured eye socket last month, the 30-year-old has also been rewarded with a spot in the Selecao’s squad and could earn a 26th international cap here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Mexico and Brazil last met back in July 2018 on the World Cup stage, the Selecao collected a 2-0 victory.
• Likewise, Brazil have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous seven meetings against Mexico – a run that stems back to June 2007.
• However, the South American giants have managed to muster just a single win from any of their previous six appearances across all competitions.
• Mexico have collected just a quartet of victories from any of their previous 11 appearances across all formats.
• Brazil have remarkably registered just a pair of clean sheets from any of their previous 14 matchups.

Conclusion

Mustering just a single victory from any of their previous six appearances across all competitions, Brazil will know the importance of claiming an essential boost here. However, while the South American icons might have continued to show some real issues of late, they will be smelling an opportunity in Texas. Watching Mexico put in a nightmare performance earlier in the week as they fell to a 4-0 drumming at the hands of Uruguay, El Tricolor should also be concerned by a downbeat record against Brazil.

Verdict: Brazil win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Luckster