Venezuela vs Mexico Prediction: Mexico to be held in a standoff
Venezuela never expected to be at the top of Group B in Copa America, but that's where they find themselves following their shock 2-1 over Ecuador on matchday one. And Los Vinotintos could seal their place in the knockout stage with a victory over Mexico at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Mexico also won their opening fixture, an edgy 1-0 victory over group minnows Jamaica, so they will also be hopeful of making their way out of the group. Here is my Venezuela vs Mexico prediction, with the game kicking off at 2am BST live on Premier Sports 1.
Venezuela shocked Ecuador on matchday one and they are 23/10 to spring another surprise with a win over Mexico.
El Tri are 23/20 to build on their edgy 1-0 win over Jamaica, and the draw is a 2/1 shot in Los Angeles on Thursday.
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Venezuela have a clean bill of health following their opening fixture against Ecuador but head coach Fernando Batista has plenty to weigh up ahead of a crucial match.
Debutants Jhonder Cadiz and Eduard Bello both came off the bench to turn the match in Venezuela's favour and Batista must decide whether or not to reward the pair with their first starts.
Mexico must make do without their captain Edson Alvarez who is a huge doubt to take any further part in this tournament.
Alvarez limped out of the win over Jamaica with a hamstring injury and El Tri will miss their combative skipper, who has represented his nation on 79 occasions.
The 26-year-old left the pitch after just half an hour to be replaced by Luis Romo, and Romo is likely to get the start on matchday two. Apart from that, Mexico have a full squad to choose from.
Draw @ 2/1
Mexico are unbeaten in 11 meetings with Venezuela but they may find Los Vinotintos a tougher nut to crack in Los Angeles this week.
El Tri dominated their 1-0 win over Jamaica but failed to convince despite having nine shots on target and their form heading into the tournament wasn't great either.
The Mexicans won just four of their 12 fixtures in the run up to the tournament in America and they will need to up their game ahead of a meeting with a Venezuela outfit who will be buzzing after their opening-game win.
Ecuador were highly-fancied to follow Mexico out of the section, but they were left stunned by Venezuela's come-from-behind victory which has left them playing catch-up.
Venezuela are sitting pretty at the top of the table and having drawn three of their last five meetings with the Mexicans, they will be confident of achieving another positive result against El Tri.
Both teams have scored in nine of the 11 contests between Venezuela and Mexico and that could be a decent bet at 10/11 but a better-value option should be considered.
1-1 correct score @ 5/1
A lively contest is expected in LA this week and a 1-1 scoreline looks like a likely outcome at the SoFi Stadium.
Two of the last four dust-ups have finished that way and Mexico have scored more than once in just one of their last five fixtures. They may find Venezuela difficult to break down.
Los Vinotintos have conceded more than once in a match in just one of their last 15 fixtures and they will be keen to hold firm as they look to protect their position at the head of the group.
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