MEXICO v PORTUGAL - THE BEAN PREVIEW

Mexico 13/5 - Draw 13/8 - Portugal 11/8

The second ever meeting between Mexico and Portugal will take place this afternoon at Gelsenkirchen. The first meeting was a friendly match in 1969 which ended in a goalless draw.

Portugal are already guaranteed a spot in the Second Round which is the first time since 1966. Mexico are virtually through to the last sixteen and only a defeat today and an Angola win over Iran by three goals will stop the Central Americans progressing to the next stage.

Portugal may rest three of their players due to them having a yellow card against their name. Those players are Deco, Pauleta, and Costinha. The most likely replacements will be Nuno Gomes, Sabrosa and Petit.

Mexico has the whole squad to choose from apart from Bolton striker Jared Borgetti who pulled his hamstring muscle in the Mexicans opening game with Iran. Franco and Bravo will be the likely faces who will be heading the attacking force for Mexico.

Portugal will be hoping to play a lot better than their previous two matches as they looked slow out the blocks, and a comfortable victory this afternoon will give them confidence going into the second round with a potential showdown with either Holland or Argentina. For Portugal to win 2-1 you can get odds of 8/1 and a 3-0 win is at 22/1.

The Mexicans will want to win this match desperately however, as the second place team of group C will most likely face the daunting task of taking on the in form Argentina. Mexico will throw everything at the Portuguese and a 2-0 win has odds of 14/1 and a 3-1 win has odds of 40/1

My prediction - Portugal to win 2-1 at 8/1.

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