Mexico Vs Trinidad and Tobago
Mexico Vs Trinidad and Tobago Sunday 11 July, 2021 – 03:00
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Pick: Trinidad & Tobago + 2.5 (Asian Handicap)
Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: BetVictor
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 9 July 2021)
Preview: The second match of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup features tournament favourites Mexico, who are an extremely short price to open their accounts with not only a win but a resounding one at that against a declining Trinidad and Tobago.
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Table of Contents
Mexico – Miserly El Tri out to avenge Nations League misery?
As this squad is generally considered to be the strongest in the competition, expectations are naturally very high ahead of their opening game. Mexico are not only the highest ranked side here, at 11 in the world as of May 2021, but arrive as defending champions after a nervy run to the final two years ago – pushed into extra-time by Costa Rica and Haiti – preceded a gritty 1-0 triumph over the United States.
El Tri can also harness the disappointment of losing last month’s inaugural Nations League final to the USMNT, when they squandered two separate leads to lose 3-2 in extra-time, to inspire them to glory at this tournament. Their response, however, has been encouraging. In three subsequent friendlies with Honduras (0-0), Panama (3-0) and Nigeria (4-0), they won twice while allowing zero goals.
In fact, this stoic backline could be key over the course of the next few weeks. Since the start of 2020, Tato Martino has overseen thirteen matches – a large bulk of them friendlies. Excluding extra-time and penalties, Mexico won eight, lost only once, which was narrowly to Wales in Cardiff, and registered eight clean sheets. So just scoring past them may prove a daunting challenge all in itself.
Trinidad and Tobago – Expectations muted ahead of 11th Gold Cup appearance?
Two years ago, the Soca Warriors wouldn’t even make it out of the group – the seventh time this has happened in ten previous Gold Cup participations – finishing bottom with one point from games against Guyana, Panama and USA. Only a late Kevin Molina equaliser, who is part of the current set-up, rescued a draw in their final encounter with Guyana, thus avoiding the ignominy of losing every match.
Expectations are therefore modest. Particularly as they needed to qualify just to be here, and while seeing off Montserrat proved no issue at all, thrashing the side ranked 180 6-1, they leaned on penalties in their final qualifying game against French Guiana, winning 8-7 in the ensuing shoot-out. Those results do, however, mean they at least come into the tournament in reasonable form.
Trinidad and Tobago will begin the 2021 Gold Cup unbeaten in their last six match-ups, including two wins from four 2022 World Cup Qualifiers. And yet, prior to this, they were in dire straits. From October 2018 to February this year, the Soca Warriors had managed one win from eighteen having failed to score in all but four. Among them a 2-0 scoreline with Mexico and chastening 6-0 and 7-0 defeats to USA.
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Mexico Vs Trinidad and Tobago Betting Advice
Tournament favourites Mexico have named a very strong squad for this tournament, likely with making amends for last month’s Nations League final defeat in mind, and are overwhelming favourites to begin with a routine win. What are the chances of their opening opponents providing much in the way of resistance? Very little. Trinidad and Tobago’s star has fallen markedly in recent times.
Mexico vs Trinidad & Tobago – Key Facts:
- Coming into this tournament, Mexico are the highest ranked (11), most successful Gold Cup nation (11 tournament triumphs) and reigning Gold Cup holders.
- Conversely, Trinidad & Tobago failed to win a single game at the last Gold Cup. The Soca Warriors finished bottom of the group, with one point from three matches.
- Mexico have won their last three matches versus Trinidad & Tobago. However, the last time El Tri won by a margin of 3+ goals was 2004, with 11 matches taking place since then.
The Soca Warriors will come into this game in confidence affirming form, though, winning three and losing none of their last six contests. None were against the calibre of opponent they face here, however, with Mexico making huge strides defensively in recent times especially. Still, this is the first game of the tournament for both teams. Therefore, in the knowledge none of the previous eleven meetings between the nations were settled by more than a two goal margin, a modest scoreline isn’t unthinkable.
Best Betting Odds – Mexico Vs Trinidad & Tobago
Mexico – 1/16
Draw – 17/2
Trinidad & Tobago – 30/1
(All odds taken from BetVictor)
