Mexico vs Croatia Prediction – June 23
Mexico has every reason to be riding high so far in this year’s tournament, but the third match-up of the group is do-or-die for the Croatians, who will be sent home if they don’t produce. [ad-1519080]
Group A Third Game: Croatia vs. Mexico
Date/Time: Monday, June 23 2014, 4 pm EST
Venue: Arena Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
Croatia EVEN, Mexico -120
MoneyLine: Croatia +170, Mexico +150
Over/Under: 2.5
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Croatia
Croatia manager Niko Kovac said this game is “like a final” for Croatia, because only a win pushes them on to the knock-out stage of the tournament.
One thing the Croatians have going for them in this match-up is team speed. Players like Ivan Perisic, Real Madrid’s Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Dejan Lovren and Mario Mandzukic (two goals so far in the World Cup) push the pace for their side and pressure an opponent’s back four.
The Croatians had a strong performance against Cameroon and looked quite game versus host Brazil in the tournament’s opening match, being snookered by questionable officiating more than anything else. Croatia is definitely capable of unseating – and hence leapfrogging – Mexico.
Mexico
“El Tri” meanwhile controls their own destiny. A win or a tie moves them on to the next stage; the Mexicans also handled Cameroon but crucially also earned a draw against the big kid on the block in Group A.
The first thing to mention of course is the spectacular goalkeeping of Guillermo Ochoa. Offensively, midfielders Hector Herrera and Jose Vazquez along with forwards Javi Hernandez and Giovani Dos Santos will look to provide the backbreaking goal or two that will put Croatia on a plane eastwards.
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The talented Mexicans should get their opportunities because as dynamic as Croatia has looked in its match-ups, the team’s defending has looked rather suspect.
If you’re going to keep your eye on one player on the pitch, look out for Croatia’s Modric. The squad will be pressing forward with urgency and the Madrid man has the talent and toughness to press the attack forward while switching the tempo. It could be confounding for the Mexicans.
There was concern that Modric was dinged up before the Cameroon game, but he’s fully fit now, so expect him to control Croatia’s midfield and play with an intensity that belies his slight build.
Lovren also had a brilliant season with Southampton in the Premier League this year, so he should be presenting that form on Monday afternoon in Recife.
Croatia have been averaging over 14 shots on goal per contest, so the brilliance of ‘keeper Ochoa will be tested once again.
Ochoa has already performed miracles versus Brazil that will cement him as a national hero. Still, that is a big net and if Croatia is surging forward like I’d expect them to (Mexico’s defending has also been questionable) sooner or later one is going to get by him.
Mexico is also a small team, which could them in specific areas of the game such as set pieces.
Ochoa could definitely put up another miraculous performance and that would keep the narrative on course, but I like Croatia to come out with a sense of urgency and get the job done.
Croatia 2, Mexico 1
Take the OVER
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