Team Mexico heads to the World Cup in Brazil in a familiar position \u2013 with a ton of promise but questions whether or not they can advance past the Group stage. <\/p>\n
\nMexico<\/h3>\n
(FIFA Rank #19)<\/strong>
\n Odds to Win World Cup: 100\/1<\/strong>
\n Odds to in Group A: +900<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nRemember \u2013 this is a nation that struck Gold in the 2012 Olympics in London!<\/p>\n
But at no time have the Mexicans entered the biggest tournament on the planet with more doubts about their ability to succeed. Qualifying was a complete disaster for this side \u2013 they were forced into a playoff with New Zeeland just to get the chance to compete in Brazil. Internal strife and a preference toward players in Mexico\u2019s domestic leagues may also lead to their undoing.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s start with the strife. This is a team that inexplicably lost 10 qualifiers \u2013 10! Names like Javier Hernandez, Guillermo Ochoa, Giovani Dos Santos and Carlos Vela who is Mexico’s best play have already declined an invitation to play or may be left off the squad all together – Manager Miguel Herrera will definitely have his hands full trying to guide this seemingly dysfunctional group.<\/p>\n
The likely starters are as follows:<\/p>\n
Forwards<\/strong>: Raul Jimenez, Alan Pulido, Javier Hernandez, Giovani dos Santos, Oribe Peralta.<\/p>\n
Midfielders<\/strong>: Juan Carlos Medina, Juan Jos\u00e9 V\u00e1zquez, Isaac Brizuela, Luis Montes, Carlos Pena, Marco Fabian, Hector Herrera.
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\nDefenders<\/strong>: Paul Aguilar, Miguel Lay\u00fan, Diego Reyes, Rafael M\u00e1rquez, Hugo Ayala, Hector Moreno, Carlos Salcido, Andres Guardado.<\/p>\nThere is class all over the pitch for Mexico – the trick is getting their talent to meet the expectation for this team. Perhaps the biggest coup for Mexico ahead of the World Cup is the Group that they are playing in.<\/p>\n
Cameroon in their opener should be a win; a loss against Brazil is a formality with a showdown with Croatia in their final game being the key.<\/p>\n
Mexico should be able to handle Croatia here – the European squad has been just OK in qualifying and they are likely to have their share of issues with the heat and humidity of Brazil.<\/p>\n
It won\u2019t be a home game for Mexico against Croatia but the elements and familiar surroundings should help Mexico immensely \u2013 allowing them to defeat Croatia and move on.<\/p>\n
World Cup Prediction<\/h3>\n
Mexico looks to be in decent shape to advance past the Group stage for the third time in history and the first time since they hosted the World Cup in 1986.<\/p>\n
That said a date with Spain, Holland or Chile looms.<\/p>\n
While I expect Mexico to move on, the uncertainties on this team are far too plentiful to expect them to advance past the round of 16. Their potential round of 16 opponent is also daunting \u2013 to say the very least!<\/p>\n
CappersPicks.com has Soccer Odds<\/a> up on a ton of futures, and you will also find World Cup odds up for early games as well.<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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