Mexico and Jamaica go head-to-head in their first game in Group B of the Copa America in the early hours of Sunday.
Mexico are looking for a return to formAlthough they are amongst the favourites to win the Copa America, Mexico heads into this summer’s competition in poor form. El Tricolor has suffered losses in three of their four previous international outings.
Jaime Lozano’s team's main concern lately has been conceding too many goals, with two or more goals conceded in all three of their recent defeats. They have to improve in defence if they are to go deep into the competition.
Mexico was not invited to the last two Copa America. However, they have won just two of their last ten games in the competition, losing five of them.
El Tricolor has enjoyed the better of the recent head-to-head with Jamaica, winning three and losing one of the last six meetings.
Jamaica are a team in formThe Reggae Boyz have been in strong form lately, recording three victories over Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Dominica. They have also been strong in defence of late, keeping clean sheets in four of their last six international outings.
Their recent defensive displays have contributed to five of their last six internationals producing under 2.5 goals over 90 minutes.
Jamaica have only appeared at two previous Copa America tournaments, in 2015 and 2016. They have failed to pick up a point from their six group games in the competition. In fact, the Caribbean team has been unable to score in all six of the winless games.
They have failed to keep a clean sheet in the last five meetings with Mexico, so an improvement in the backline could be the key to recording a potentially vital victory.
What am I backing?Mexico have quality, while Jamaica has been in form. Although El Tricolor’s form has been poor lately, I am backing a Mexico victory.