Mexico VS Iceland Match Prediction

Mexico and Iceland have played three times, with the last meeting coming a little over a year ago, and the Mexicans have taken a win and two draws thus far. Here's a look at those friendly results:

Feb 8, 2017: Mexico 1-0 Iceland
Mar 24, 2010: Mexico 0-0 Iceland
Nov 18, 2003: Iceland 0-0 Mexico

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Mexico vs Iceland Betting Tips and Odds

Bet365 have the following odds available for this match:

Mexico are at 8/11 to win, a draw is at 23/10, and an Iceland win is at 9/2.

In the Hex, the final round of qualification in CONCACAF qualification, Mexico were never really challenged.  Unlike the campaign for Brazil, Mexico didn't even have to hit top gear in order to finish first place. They did so by finishing with 21 points from their ten matches, good enough to put them five clear of second place Costa Rica in the end. They only lost once in that entire stretch. Meanwhile, Iceland's coming out party continued in a very big way as they shocked the world to win Group I in UEFA. They did so by beating out established sides like Croatia, Turkey, and Ukraine along the way.

Mexico have played a ton of football in the past year with both CONCACAF Gold Cup, qualification for the World Cup, and Confederations Cup duties all taking place. In total, they played 25 times. They won 15 times, drew five times, and lost five times. Two losses came to European giants in Portugal and Germany in the Confederations Cup, and they also lost to Croatia as well. Iceland have had a great, and much less testing year than Mexico. In 11 outings, they won eight times, drew once, and lost just twice in total. They did draw with Qatar, so there could be slight worries about their quality.

Both teams to score is at 23/20 via Ladbrokes.

Mexico vs Iceland Prediction

Iceland have the tools to go out and pressurize Mexico, and they would have a much better chance at defeating them if they were on neutral ground. But the Mexicans should be just strong enough to win out.

Correct Score Prediction: Mexico 2-1 Iceland

Team News

Juan Carlos Osorio has called in a very strong side comprised of players from Europe as well as those that are stationed either in Mexico or the United States. Mainstays Javier Hernandez and Andres Guardado are among the European stars, while Carlos Vela also has made the cut. Midfielders Javier Aquino, Jonathan dos Santos, and Jurgen Damm and striker Alan Pulido are among those that have missed out due to injuries. The biggest name to simply miss out is winger Gio dos Santos.

Key Man

One of the biggest potential names at this summer's World Cup could end up being winger Hirving Lozano. The man known as 'Chucky' has been tearing it up this season in the Dutch Eredivisie with leaders PSV. He has had his share of controversy to be fair, but it is undeniable how much talent he possesses. He is exactly what this side needs as he combines an eye for goal with the ability to assist as well and has a ton of natural pace and athleticism to go along with it.

Team Form

Mexico have three wins, a draw, and a loss in their last five matches:

1-0 home win vs Bosnia (Friendly)
0-1 win at Poland (Friendly)
3-3 draw at Belgium (Friendly)
3-2 loss at Honduras
3-1 home win vs Trinidad & Tobago

Mexico Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 4-3-3

Team News

Heimir Hallgrimsson has called up just about the strongest team he could possibly call up, as you could imagine. However, he has not brought back their key man, Gylfi Sigurdsson, to the fold this time around. The Everton man has not played a ton of late, and has been left out now due to injury as there are fears he could miss the big event. Another set to miss out is striker Alfred Finnbogason, one of their other leading scorers.

Key Man

While it would be a huge and cruel blow to the Icelanders to miss out on Gylfi Sigurdsson at the World Cup, they could be set to have a man step in in his place. The last time the team suited up, they routed Indonesia thanks to a sublime substitute appearance from winger Albert Gudmundsson. The 20 year old PSV man is just starting to crack into the world of football at the highest level and his hat trick now has him on three goals through just three international caps.

Team Form

Iceland have three wins, a draw, and a loss in their last five matches:

1-4 win at Indonesia (Friendly)
0-6 win at Indonesia (Friendly)
1-1 draw at Qatar (Friendly)
1-2 home loss vs Czech Republic (Friendly)
2-0 home win vs Kosovo

Iceland Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 4-4-2

Playing Mexico just about anywhere in North America is going to be very difficult for any side, and Iceland will find that out in this match. It will be a rare feeling for them this year, though, as they will likely be one of the teams that everyone has an interest in when they get to Russia. They are a great technical side, but this is a very big ask to defeat Mexico in California.

In three prior meetings with Mexico, Iceland have failed to score a goal, yet they have only lost 1-0 on aggregate in those three.