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Kick-off: July 12 @ 9.00 pm EST
Venue: University of Phoenix Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
Previous meetings
Mexico v Guatemala 3-0 (International friendly)
Mexico v Guatemala 2-1 (2011 Gold Cup)
Mexico v Guatemala 0-0 (International friendly)
Mexico v Guatemala 2-3 (International friendly)
Mexico v Guatemala 4-0 (2005 Gold Cup)
Guatemala
Last 5 matches:
Uruguay v Guatemala 5-1 (International friendly)
Guatemala v Bermuda 0-0 (2018 World Cup qualifier)
Bermuda v Guatemala 0-1 (2018 World Cup qualifier)
USA v Guatemala 4-0 (International friendly)
Trinidad v Guatemala 3-1 (2015 Gold Cup)
Team News:
Guatemala had a disappointing start to the 2015 Gold Cup, suffering a 3-1 loss to Trinidad & Tobago, although they did show some improvement in the second half of their opening fixture, with Carlos Ruiz reducing the score.
Los Chapines now face a very difficult task against star-studded Mexico national team, but at least coach Ivan Sopegno has no injury or suspension worries at the moment. Wilson Lalin and Carlos Ruiz will be banned for the final game against Cuba if they are cautioned in the second group match.
The boss is expected to revert to a 4-4-2 formation, with the change in style of play helping Guatemala show improvement in the second period of the Trinidad & Tobago match.
Players to watch: Carlos Ruiz, Marco Pappa.
Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Jerez – Lalin, Vasquez, Hernandez, Cincotta – Contreras, Marquez, Aparicio, Pappa – Ruiz, M. Lopez.
Mexico
Last 5 matches:
Chile v Mexico 3-3 (2015 Copa America)
Mexico v Ecuador 1-2 (2015 Copa America)
Mexico v Costa Rica 2-2 (international friendly)
Mexico v Honduras 0-0 (international friendly)
Mexico v Cuba 6-0 (2015 Gold Cup)
Team News:
Holding midfielder Jose Juan Vazquez (14/0) should return to the starting line-up after coach Miguel Herrera did not want to risk him in the opening match due to a thigh problem, with Antonio Rios (8/0) expected to make way.
This means there are no selection worries for el Piojo, with none of his players cautioned against Cuba. After scoring a hat-trick in the first match to take his goal tally for the national team to 19, striker Oribe Peralta has no reason to worry about his place in the side.
Players to watch: Carlos Vela, Oribe Peralta, Hector Herrera.
Probable starting line-up (4-4-2 diamond): Ochoa – Aguilar, Reyes, Rodriguez, Layun – Vazquez, J. dos Santos, Guardado, Herrera – Peralta, Vela.
Guatemala v Mexico betting odds & picks
*With a total of ten goals scored in their first two matches at the tournament finals, Guatemala and Mexico are 1.98 (49/50) to score over 3.75 goals between them.
*After putting six goals past Cuba, El Tri can be backed at 1.91 (10/11) to win with -2.75 Asian handicap.
