Prediction: Mexico vs Republic of Ireland

Verdict: Mexico

Best Odds: 6/10

 Bookmaker: William Hill

Republic of Ireland begin their preparations for crucial World Cup qualifier against Austria with a friendly match against an illustrious Mexican side. El Tri are a force to be reckoned with and will be a proper test for martin O’Neil’s men.

Mexico

Having suffered a disappointing 7-0 blow at the hands of Chile in Copa America quarterfinals last June, Mexico national team got back up on their feet to hit the ground running in 2018 World Cup qualification. El Tri are leading the pack after four matches with ten points to their name and a three-point gap in front of Costa Rica in the CONCACAF table. Juan Carlos Osorio’s men embarked on a nine-match unbeaten run since the Chile embarrassment, but their positive run has still been halted last week.  A young and inexperienced Croatia team held on rather well against a strong Mexico squad to beat El Tri 2-1 in a friendly match in Los Angeles on Saturday. Mexico striker Javier Hernandez scored the only goal for his side in a match which saw Chicharito set the national team’s all-time record with his 47^th goal for Mexico. Hernandez headed home from Andres Guardado’s free kick with three minutes left on the clock and will surely look to boost his goalscoring tally against Republic of Ireland at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Ireland friendly will be Mexico’s final friendly game and a last chance for Osorio to trim his squad ahead of World Cup qualifications and Confederations Cup, so some changes to the line-up should be expected.

Team News

Pachuca right-back Raul Lopez could be set for a starting role against Ireland in absence of Salcedo and Duenas.

Veteran international Rafa Marquez could be set for his first match since March and his back injury against Costa Rica. Former Barcelona man was operated on, but is now fully fit and could be involved to some extent.

Republic of Ireland

The Irish prepare to take another team in the green on the back of a 2018 World Cup draw against Wales, which came as a huge blow to Ireland’s chances of booking the ticket to Russia next year. O’Neil’s are unbeaten after five qualifying fixtures, but they have still missed the chance to open a two-point gap in front of Serbia at the top of Group D and are now pushed to the second place due to an unafavourable goal difference. The Boys in Green suffered another blow four days after their Wales draw with Euro 2016 surprise package Iceland beating O’Neil’s men 1-0, thanks to a goal from Magnusson. The forthcoming clash against Mexico will be a great opportunity to boost morale and gain momentum ahead of the crunch World Cup qualifying clash against Austria. The game against El Tri will also present head coach Martin O’Neil with an opportunity to test his options and the experienced managed could might as well use it to try as many players as possible. Burnley defender Kevin Long and Preston midfielder Alan Browne could be in line to make their Republic debuts against Mexico. The Mexico game is followed by a friendly with Uruguay on 4 June, which precedes the Austria match a week later.

Team News

Martin O’Neil added James McClean, Darren Randolph and Colin Doyle for the Mexico friendly, who link up with the rest of the squad after a three-day training camp in Fota Island.

Shane Duffy and Eunan O’Keane are heading into the game shaken by a road collision they were involved in en route to the team hotels earlier last week.

Key Factors to Consider

• Mexico are unbeaten in nine of last 10 matches
• Ireland are coming off from a two-game winless stretch
• El Tri lost only two of their last 15 home matches
• Ireland are unbeaten in 5 2018 World Cup qualifiers
• Rafa Marqez is set to play his 1^st match since March

Conclusion

Republic of Ireland begins preparations for a crucial World Cup qualifier as Martin O’Neil looks to trim down his squad and test his team’s strength against a respectable side. Mexico are looking to get back to winning ways ahead of great challenged in the Confederations Cup amd will be considered favoruites to win.

Verdict: Mexico

Best Odds: 6/10

 Bookmaker: William Hill