(Getty)
The fiercest rivalry in CONCACAF returns to Mexico City Sunday night as USMNT attempt to earn three points at Estadio Azteca for the first time in World Cup qualifying history. El Tri are comfortably atop the CONCACAF standings, but the United States are crawling up the board with five games remaining.
Here are the latest odds from Bovada:
Mexico vs. USA Odds
Spread: Mexico -1 (-110), USA +1 (-110)
Moneyline: Mexico -185, USA +450, Draw +330
Total: Over 2.5 (-110), Under 2.5 (-110)
Prediction:
USA are long removed from their 6-0 win over Honduras, which could have marked the end of USMNT’s World Cup bid. After taking seven points from three games, Bruce Arena has seemingly righted the ship for the Americans as they head into the summer. But the biggest test is Azteca, where the best results USMNT have ever earned are two scoreless draws.
It’s not just the altitude or the hostile environment. Mexico are a world-class team, and Sunday is their biggest warmup before heading to Russia for the Confederations Cup. El Tri are unbeaten in five qualifying matches, and have only allowed one goal in total.
It’s not just established stars like Gio dos Santos or Rafa Marquez, who could return to the lineup Sunday night. Mexico is loaded with promising young talent, including Hirving Lozano, who scored in the team’s 3-0 win over Honduras earlier in the week.
For the Americans, goal scoring ambitions rest on the shoulders of a teenage sensation. Christian Pulisic is well on his way to becoming a household name, and is USA’s biggest asset looking towards the future. Pulisic scored both goals in USA’s 2-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago, and personally guaranteed victory after the match.
His words are strong, and I want to believe in Pulisic and USMNT. But the Mexicans are playing at a world-class level right now, and should be one of the finalists in Russia. USA will bring the energy, but Mexico will bring the goals.
Prediction: 3-1 Mexico
Best Bet: Both teams to score YES (+110)