Prediction: Mexico vs Uruguay

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: bet365

2015 Gold Cup champions Mexico and 2011 Copa America winners Uruguay will contest one of the most interesting matches in the opening round of the 2016 Copa America Centenario, with both sides heading into the game in great spirits after impressing in final warm-up fixtures.

Mexico

Mexico have enjoyed a fair amount of success on international stage of late, but while they have won three of last four CONCACAF Gold Cup trophies, El Tri weren’t as impressive in other competitions. Mexico did well to make it to the Last 16 stage at each of last six World Cup finals, but they cannot seem to make the next step and reach the final phase of the highly rated competition. After finishing as runners up on their maiden Copa America appearance in 1993, El Tri achieved a third-place finish on three more occasions, but having crashed out in the group stage two times in a row, they arrive in the United States eager to show some improvement. Even if the likes of Carlos Vela, Jonathan dos Santos and Giovani dos Santos are missing, most key men are included and Mexico head to the opening game in excellent spirits. Even with coach Juan Carlos Osorio constantly tinkering with his starting line-up, his side have now won nine games on the bounce, while keeping eight successive clean sheets. This is enough to suggest they have every right to hope for a strong start to the 2016 Copa America Centenario.

Team News

LA Galaxy forward Giovani dos Santos has rejected an opportunity to represent the country at the Copa America, while Carlos Vela and Jonathan dos Santos were overlooked.

Andres Guardado and Javier Hernandez could be recalled to the side after they made quite an impact coming off the bench in the 1-0 triumph over Chile.

Uruguay

It’s now been ten years since Oscar Tabarez took over the reigns of the national team, helping Uruguay establish themselves as one of the world’s leading sides during that time. La Celeste first shone at the 2010 World Cup, achieving a respectable fourth-place finish, before they impressed to lift the 2011 Copa America trophy. Most players who played at those two tournaments are still in the side, since there has been little fresh talent coming through the ranks. Nevertheless, Uruguay now have two of world’s most prolific strikers in Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, although they were unfortunate to have the Barcelona star pick up an injury after his most successful season up to date. This means that the 29-year-old will miss at least two games at the 2016 Copa America Centenario, and there are no doubts he will be sorely missed in the opening clash with Mexico. Uruguay enjoyed a great start to the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, climbing to the first place after taking 13 points from 6 games, but despite taking part in some high-scoring games, chances are La Celeste will revert to their defence-minded approach for the Mexico clash.

Team News

Martin Caceres, Cristian Rodriguez and Sebastian Coates are some of the high-profile players that have failed to survive the cut.

Luis Suarez is definitely out through injury, while Nicolas Lodeiro may not be fit to start after suffering a knee problem in training.

Key Factors to Consider

• Mexico recorded four wins in ten matches vs Uruguay (D3 L3)
• Only one goal was scored in two of last three meetings
• Mexico won last nine games on all fronts
• El Tri kept eight successive clean sheets
• Uruguay is without star striker Luis Suarez

Conclusion

Mexico have kept eight clean sheets on the bounce and with Luis Suarez still out injured, El Tri might just extend the impressive run against Uruguay. La Celeste are usually tough to break at major competitions and this game has low-scoring affair written all over it.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: bet365