Mexico vs Costa Rica betting tips: Gold Cup preview, predictions, team news & odds

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Mexico vs Costa Rica

Mexico to win 2-0 against Costa Rica- 6/1!

At 6/1, a £10 bet would return £70!

Mexico vs Costa Rica

July 09, 2023

2:30 am GMT+1

Mexico vs Costa Rica match preview

Will Mexico remain on course for a record-extending ninth Gold Cup title, or will the huge crowd in attendance in Arlington witness a major shock?

El Tri are under humungous pressure to win this competition, having been smashed Tres a Cero by rivals USA in the Nations League semi-finals earlier this summer, a result that cost Diego Cocca his job.

Under interim boss Jaime Lozano, Mexico were very impressive in their first two group games, demolishing Honduras 4-0 in Houston before a 3-1 victory over Haiti in Phoenix.

However, on Sunday night, el Tri suffered a shock and fluke 1-0 defeat to Qatar at Levi’s Stadium.

Mexico had 25 shots, six on target, to Qatar’s one shot all night in Santa Clara, but were still beaten by the Asian Champions.

This defeat was pretty inconsequential, el Tri topped the group anyway, but cracks have started to appear, which is certainly concerning an already angry fanbase.

So, can Costa Rica pull off, what would be, a major shock, given that they’ve won just two of their last 30 meetings with Mexico?

Los Ticos had to battle just to get this far, after failing to win either of their first two group games, beaten 2-1 by Panama in Fort Lauderdale, before a frustrating goalless draw with El Salvador.

Nevertheless, on Tuesday, Luis Fernando Suárez’s side crushed Martinique 6-4 (yes really!) in New Jersey, leading 5-1 at one point.

Kendall Waston, Francisco Calvo, Juan Pablo Vargas, Joel Campbell, Anthony Contreras and Diego Campos all on target on a simply crazy night at Red Bull Arena.

Costa Rica haven’t been eliminated in the Gold Cup group stages since 1998 and that is still, just about, the case.

Now, los Ticos are seeking to reach the semi-finals of this competition for only the fourth time since the turn of the millennium, having previously lost knockout ties at the hands of el Tri in 2003, 2007, 2009, 2015 and 2019.

So, will AT&T Stadium witness Costa Rica’s first-ever Gold Cup victory over Mexico, or will the huge contingent of el Tri supporters roar their team onto victory?

Whoever prevails will be heading to Las Vegas for a semi-final showdown against Guatemala or Jamaica on Wednesday.

Mexico team news

Despite being already through, Jaime Lozano didn’t make too many changes last Sunday, making the 1-0 defeat to Qatar all the more concerning.

Defenders César Montes and Gerardo Arteaga will both start, having served their elongated suspensions during the group stages.

Montes’ return will allow Edson Álvarez to return to his preferred position at the base of midfield.

At right-back, Jorge Sánchez will return, in place of Julián Araujo, having served a one-game ban last weekend.

Henry Martín will continue to lead the line, chosen over Santiago Giménez, after both scored during the 3-1 victory over Haiti in Glendale.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Ochoa; Sánchez, Montes, Vásquez, Arteaga; Álvarez, Luis Romo, Chávez; Pineda, Antuna, Martín.

Costa Rica team news

There’s no Keylor Navas anymore, so Kevin Chamorro will keep his place in goal.

Other members of the team that reached the World Cup quarter-finals are still going strong, namely Francisco Calvo, Kendall Waston, Celso Borges and Joel Campbell.

Luis Fernando Suárez chosen to go with a back four against Martinique, but could revert to a five here, which is great news if your name is Suhander Zúñiga, as he’ll reclaim his place.

Predicted XI (5-4-1): Chamorro; Valverde, Waston, Calvo, Vargas, Zúñiga; Borges, Azofeifa, Alcócer, Campbell; Contreras.

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Mexico vs Costa Rica betting tips: CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final preview, predictions, team news and odds