Mexico vs Venezuela
Mexico have a couple of international friendly matches lined up in preparation for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The first of those two will see them face Venezuela, who are gearing up for the Copa America themselves.
El Tri will be missing a handful of their household names for the Gold Cup, which makes these friendlies that much important for new manager Tata Martino as he gets to know his squad better ahead of the tournament.
As for La Vinotinto, they will be eager to test themselves against the giants of CONCACAF and show they are indeed one of the top Copa America underdogs to watch out for.
Talking Points
Mexico’s much-changed squad
Tata Martino is set for his first major tournament as Mexico manager. The Argentine has made a promising start to his reign with a couple of impressive international friendly 2019 results against South American opposition. They topped Chile 3-1 and pounded Paraguay 4-2 back in March.
However, Martino will have a much-changed squad which will be without a good number of the country’s top players, who played significant roles in those first two wins. Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, Carlos Vela, Hirving Lozano, and Hector Herrera are among the big-name omissions.
But despite those key absentees, Mexico still possess quite an experienced and formidable squad that’s the favourite to win the Gold Cup.
Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and defender Hector Moreno are both grizzled veterans of the Gold Cup and have been part of the Mexico teams that won it in 2011 and 2015. Meanwhile, Marco Fabian and Jonathan dos Santos will accompany captain Andres Guardado in the middle of the park.
With those key forwards unavailable, though Martino will have to rely heavily on Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raul Jimenez to lead the team.
Jimenez is coming off a brilliant season with Wolves. He led the team with 17 goals in all competitions, including one in Wolves’ famous FA Cup win over Manchester United.
However, his record on the international stage is not quite as impressive; he’s scored just 17 goals in 70 caps for his country.
Venezuela’s veterans set to return
After their scheduled friendly against Trinidad and Tobago was cancelled, Venezuela’ s Copa America preparations finally got up and running as they drew 1-1 with Ecuador on Saturday.
The Venezuelans took the lead through a Roberto Rosales first-half penalty and appeared on course for the victory. Unfortunately, Enner Valencia popped up with a stoppage-time equaliser for the Ecuadorians.
However, Venezuela fielded a side primarily made up of youngsters against Ecuador and didn’t feature a number of their likely first-choice players.
Captain and midfielder Tomas Rincon was not part of the squad, star striker Salomon Rondon was an unused substitute, while his striker partner Josef Martinez was still on duty for his MLS club Atlanta Untied.
Martinez will be available against Mexico, though, as will the team’s other likely Copa America starters as they look to test themselves against quality opposition.
While international friendly odds 2019 have Venezuela as underdogs against Mexico, the South Americans figure to be very dangerous if Rondon and Martinez both play up front.
The 26-year-old Martinez will head into the friendly in sizzling hot form. He’s bagged a brace in back-to-back games and has six goals in his last five for Atlanta United.
History
Mexico and Venezuela have faced off against each other 19 times in total. Mexico have dominated the matchup with 13 wins, while Venezuela have won just twice. The Venezuelans’ last win over El Tri came all the way back in 1982.
Although, three of the last four meetings between the two have ended in draws. That includes their most recent meeting, which was a 1-1 draw in the 2016 Copa America Centenario when Mexico were among six CONCACAF teams to take part in the tournament.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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