Mexico take on Guatemala in an international friendly game on Thursday, with the match being played at Estadio de Mazatlan.
Both teams are clearly ramping up their preparations for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which begins later this month.
Match preview
© Reuters
Having failed to qualify for the knockout stages of a World Cup (that they managed to reach) for the first time since 1978, Mexico will be hoping to bounce back by winning the Gold Cup for the 12th time in the nation's history later this summer.
In their most recent competitive matches, new head coach Diego Cocca secured his side's passage through to the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League, where they will play against USA next Friday in an attempt to set up a meeting with either Panama or Canada in the final.
El Tri actually played out a 1-1 draw against their fiercest rivals in a friendly meeting in April, with Jesus Ferreira equalising inside the last 10 minutes of normal time after Uriel Antuna had fired Cocca's side into the lead after the break.
The 51-year-old, who is a household name in management across Central America and South America, will be fully expecting his team to build confidence ahead of more important fixtures by recording a comfortable win against Guatemala on Thursday.
© Reuters
However, despite being ranked over 100 places beneath Mexico in the most recent FIFA World Rankings update, Guatemala have frustrated them with two 0-0 draws in their last four meetings.
Indeed, their most recent head-to-head fixture last April ended goalless, with two 3-0 wins for Mexico sandwiching another stalemate at the Gold Cup in 2015.
As such, Los Chapines's head coach Luis Fernando Tena - who has been in charge of Guatemala since 2021 - will be confident of frustrating his home nation once again, especially as he possesses a decent insight into their setup having previously been Mexico's assistant manager between 2010 and 2013.
Tena will fancy his side's chances of progressing to the knockout stages of the Gold Cup during this summer, too, having been drawn alongside Canada and Cuba in Group D. While Canada will clearly be the favourites to top the group having recently qualified for their first World Cup in 36 years, there is little reason as to why Guatemala cannot edge out Cuba for the second qualification spot.
Team News
© Reuters
Cocca has opted to go with a more youthful squad this time around, with Hector Herrera and Hector Moreno both left out despite commanding 236 caps between them.
With Mexico facing Cameroon in another friendly three days later, the 51-year-old could save a few of his key players for what could prove to be the more difficult fixture, but Raul Jimenez should start to join Herrera and Moreno - among others - in the 100-cap club.
Guatemala, meanwhile, have resisted the urge to select any potential debutants among their travelling party for this match, but they will hope to include Nathaniel Mendez-Laing in their Gold Cup squad providing that the Derby County winger's paperwork goes through in time.
Darwin Lom will almost certainly lead the line having bagged 10 goals in 21 caps for his country, with Rubio Rubin of Real Salt Lake potentially partnering him in attack.
Mexico possible starting lineup:
Acevedo; Alvarez, Araujo, Guzman, Campos; Chaves, Sanchez; Alvarado, Cordova, Vega; Jimenez
Guatemala possible starting lineup:
Hagen; Morales, Samayoa, Pinto, Ardon; Castellanos, Saravia; Santis, Rubin, Archila; Lom
We say: Mexico 2-0 Guatemala
We expect Mexico to have too much quality for Guatemala, who have failed to score in each of the last five meetings between these two teams.
Cocca will expect his players to build momentum ahead of important fixtures in the Nations League and Gold Cup.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
