CONCACAF Gold Cup holders Mexico will look to make it two wins from two in Group A as they take on Suriname in Texas in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Mexico just about made a winning start to their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign as they defeated debutants the Dominican Republic 3-2 in California in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Hammers midfielder Edson Alvarez and Fulham frontman Raul Jimenez scored either side of the break to put Mexico into a two-goal lead before Cesar Montes regained El Tri’s two-goal advantage after 53 minutes.
The Dominic Republic pulled another one back in the 67th minute, but despite a flurry of late chances for both sides, that was the end of the scoring to ensure the holders got off to a winning start.
Suriname were also involved in an entertaining encounter in their group opener, but unlike their opponents, they came away empty-handed in agonising fashion.
Stanley Menzo’s men were two goals down inside the opening 20 minutes but turned the game around completely in the 65th minute to lead 2-3.
However, Costa Rica levelled the game 10 minutes later before sealing a dramatic 4-3 victory in the 103rd minute, as Manfred Ugalde scored from the spot for the second time.
How the bookies view it: El Tri expected to pick up three points
Unsurprisingly, The bookmakers make Mexico short-priced favourites in Texas, with BoyleSports pricing them at just 2/9.
The same firm has a shock Suriname win at 17/2, whilst the draw is 4/1.
Head to head: Three out of three for El Tri?
These two nations have met in the CONCACAF Nations League twice in the past three years, with Mexico winning 3-0 and 0-2.
Players to watch: Raul to reign again?
Raul Jimenez scored Mexico’s second against the Dominican Republic in their group opener, and Unibet has priced the Fulham frontman at 59/50 to make it six goals in six games for El Tricolour.
Gyrano Kerk scored and provided an assist in the Dominican’s agonising loss to Costa Rica in the group opener, and the Antwerp frontman is a massive 6/1 at William Hill to get on the scoresheet in Texas.
Predicted line-ups:
Suriname didn’t appear to pick up any injuries in their defeat to Costa Rica, so manager Stanley Menzo may select a similar starting 11 to the one that started in their group opener.
Mexico will be expected to be without Hirving Lozano once again, but Javier Aguirre should otherwise have a full squad to pick from.
Suriname: Vaessen, Dijksteel, Van Gelderen, Pinas, Haps, Malone, Paal, Kerk, Jubitana, Margaret, Vlijter
Mexico: Malagon, Sanchez, Reyes, Montes, Gallardo, Alvarado, Lira, Alvarez, Pineda, Gimenez, Jimenez
Anything else catch the eye?
Given what happened in both of these side’s group openers, you’d expect there to be goals in this one, and that’s the way I’m keen to go in Texas on Thursday morning.
Mexico have fired multiple goals in seven of their past eight internationals and will be expected to score at least twice against a Suriname defence that shipped four against Costa Rica.
But Suriname looked dangerous on the counterattack against Costa Rica and are certainly capable of getting on the scoresheet against a Mexico defence that is far from watertight, making the 10/11 for Both Teams to Score at BoyleSports an appealing selection.
GambleAware