Mexico is gearing up to take on Qatar in the final match of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup group stage on Sunday, aiming to maintain their dominant form. With a flawless record of two wins, El Tri (2-0-0) have already secured their spot in the quarterfinals after a resounding 4-0 victory over Honduras in their opener and a solid 3-1 win against Haiti on Thursday. On the other hand, Qatar (0-1-1) managed a 1-1 draw with Honduras in their previous encounter. To advance, Qatar will need an upset win against Mexico and hope that Haiti defeats Honduras.
The highly-anticipated match is scheduled to kick off at 9 p.m. ET in Santa Clara, Calif. Mexico enters as the strong favorites at -300 (risk $300 to win $100) in the latest Mexico vs. Qatar odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while Qatar is viewed as the underdog at +750. A draw is priced at +390, and the over/under for total goals scored is set at 3.5. Before making any predictions for the Qatar vs. Mexico clash, it is advisable to consider the insights of seasoned soccer expert Martin Green from SportsLine.
Having worked extensively in the sports betting industry and established himself as a professional sports writer and handicapper, Green brings a wealth of knowledge to his soccer predictions. Notably, he has exhibited profitability in various soccer competitions, including the Champions League (+3.45 units), FA Cup (+3.07 units), and EFL Cup (+3.64 units) since the last World Cup.
Green has conducted a thorough analysis of the Mexico vs. Qatar matchup, examining every aspect of the game. He has locked in his picks and predictions for the Gold Cup, which can be accessed at SportsLine. Here are the key betting lines and trends for the encounter:
- Mexico vs. Qatar spread: Mexico -1.5 (-110)
- Mexico vs. Qatar over/under: 3.5 goals
- Mexico vs. Qatar money line: Mexico -300, Qatar +750, Draw +390
- MEX: El Tri have scored 13 goals in their last seven official matches (4-2-1)
- QAT: Qatar has scored in six consecutive competitive games (1-2-3)
Reasons to support Mexico:
Mexico is unlikely to ease their foot off the gas pedal, as interim manager Jaime Lozano is vying for the full-time position while eyeing a ninth confederation title. As the most successful team in Gold Cup history, El Tri aims to extend their record. Lozano has a talented squad at his disposal, featuring players like Henry Martin, Orbelin Pineda, Luis Romo, and Santiago Gimenez. All of them have already found the net in this tournament, with Romo scoring twice.
Uriel Antuna has emerged as a key playmaker in Mexico's midfield, boasting nine goals and nine assists in 38 international appearances. Martin, who scored his 11th international goal, has proven to be a prolific scorer with 54 goals over the past four seasons for Club America. Meanwhile, 22-year-old Santiago Gimenez, a prominent striker, netted 15 goals for Feyenoord in the Dutch Eredivisie last season.
Reasons to support Qatar:
With everything on the line, Qatar is expected to field their strongest lineup against a potentially altered Mexican side. Mexico is already without key players such as Raul Jiménez, Jesus Manuel Corona, and Hirving Lozano, and additional changes could occur for this match. Qatar is likely to adopt a physical approach to disrupt Mexico's attackers, as evidenced by their 30 fouls committed in the previous two games. The team has received 10 bookings, including a red card to Yousuf Abdurisag, who will be suspended for this crucial encounter.
In the tournament so far, Tameem Mansour and Abdurisag have scored Qatar's goals. Almoez Ali, with 42 international goals, is just one goal away from equaling Mansour Muftah's all-time team record. Another key player, Mohammed Muntari, has scored 15 goals in 55 games and is Ali's teammate at Al-Duhail in Qatar's Star League. With a lineup composed entirely of players from the domestic league, which includes representatives from six of the 12 teams, there is a level of familiarity and cohesion. Under the guidance of former Real Madrid and Portugal manager Carlos Queiroz, Qatar is determined to finish the group stage strongly.
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