Verdict: Uruguay double chance

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Luckster

Two camps travelling over to Denver in the early hours of Thursday, Mexico and Uruguay will meet for a friendly showdown.

Mexico

Starting with Mexico, suffering major Nations League heartbreak during March’s international break as they eventually fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the United States, Mexico have the feel of a squad seeking some recent stability. While El Tricolor might have been last seen snatching a gritty 1-0 victory against Bolivia in Chicago, Jaime Lozano’s men will be more than aware that they face a real jump up in class here. Signing off 2023 with an action-packed 3-2 defeat against Colombia, Mexico have won just a quartet of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions. Largely failing to build on their iconic Gold Cup success from last summer, Mexico should also be concerned by their most recent meeting against Thursday’s opponents. Hit with a 3-0 drumming when they last met Uruguay back in June 2022, Lozano’s have also clinched just a single win from any of their five previous meetings.

Team News

With Lozano shockingly announcing eight debutants in his squad during March’s international break, Mexico have decided to go in a more experience route this month. Enjoying what was a record-breaking flurry with Dutch giants Feyenoord last season, the red-hot Santiago Gimenez will spearhead Mexico’s charge in Denver.

Enjoying an impressive first campaign with Premier League outfit West Ham, skipper Edson Alvarez will earn a 77th international cap here. However, set to complete a reported MLS switch this summer, Hirving Lozano has not been included in Lozano’s squad.

Uruguay

As for Uruguay, despite suffering major World Cup frustration out in Qatar 18 months ago as they failed to progress past the group stage, the Sky Blues have enjoyed a real flurry since appointing Marcelo Bielsa last year. Enjoying what was a sensational start to their World Cup qualifying adventure last year as they signed off 2023 with three victories on the bounce, the former Leeds boss has also seen his squad collect some iconic scalps. In fact, along with a 2-0 victory against world champions Argentina back on November 17th, Uruguay also secured another 2-0 win against fellow South American giants Brazil. Mustering 13 points from their six qualifying appearances, it should also be noted that the Sky Blues have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.

Team News

While there might have been some recent speculation around Darwin Nunez’s future with Premier League heavyweights Liverpool this summer, the former Benfica ace will spearhead Uruguay’s charge in Denver. Atletico Madrid defender Jose Maria Gimenez will lead Bielsa’s attack in the early hours of Thursday.

Featuring last weekend as Real Madrid were crowned Champions League winners thanks to a 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, Los Blancos midfielder Federico Valverde has been handed a rest and will not feature in midweek.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Mexico and Uruguay last met for a friendly showdown back in June 2022, the Sky Blues stormed their way to a 3-0 romp.
• Likewise, Uruguay have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous five meetings against Mexico.
• El Tricolor have recorded just four victories from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions.
• Uruguay have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous seven appearances across all formats.
• The last three meetings between Mexico and Uruguay have produced 12 goals at both ends of the pitch.

Conclusion

Embarking on what has been a real purple patch since they appointed Bielsa last year, Uruguay will be looking to make another statement here. Collecting back-to-back 2-0 victories against South American icons Brazil and Argentina during their World Cup qualifying adventure, the Sky Blues will also be excited by a dominant record against Thursday’s opponents. Losing just one of their last five meetings against Mexico and landing a 3-0 romp when the two sides last met in the summer of 2022, we are backing a Uruguay double chance in Denver.