World Cup co-hosts Mexico are preparing for this summer's tournament with a friendly against Portugal at the Estadio Azteca in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The venue will also host the first game of the finals, so it will feel like home straight away for Mexico as they join Canada and the United States in trying to put on a World Cup to remember.
Portugal will be dangerous opponents though having topped their qualifying group, and enter the tournament as one of the favourites being the sixth-highest ranked nation in world football.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our free expert international friendly predictions!
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Mexico vs Portugal key stats
- Mexico have won just once in seven home games in all competitions (D4, L2).
- Portugal have won three of their last four away matches across all competitions (L1).
- Portugal are also unbeaten in four previous H2Hs (W3, D1).
Mexico vs Portugal preview: Portuguese to pull off victory?
| Mexico | vs | Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| 16th | FIFA ranking | 6th |
| Guillermo Ochoa (151) | Most caps | Bruno Fernandes (85) |
| Raul Jimenez (44) | Most goals | Bruno Fernandes (28) |
| 984 | Total caps | 581 |
| 92 | Total goals | 94 |
| 1 | Uncapped players | 2 |
Mexico will be hoping to put on a show at the World Cup, especially considering that they open the tournament.
These upcoming friendlies, starting with Portugal, will give them the best possible preparation and provide a real test for their experienced squad.
Mexico have scored in their last four friendlies.
Indeed, they are not used to facing the powerhouse nations from Europe or other continents, and playing Roberto Martinez's men will certainly give them a taste of that.
Nonetheless, the Mexicans will hope to take advantage of playing on home soil here, although they have not had it all their own way of late.
Like Mexico, Portugal have never won the World Cup, but a star-studded squad gives them a decent chance.
Although the current crop of players are missing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Rafael Leao, they still boast other world-class names like Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha.
Bruno Fernandes is the top scorer in Portugal's current squad (28).
Those players saw Portugal qualify for this summer's tournament with relative ease, and now it is about preparing themselves in the best possible way.
That starts with facing one of the hosts in Mexico on away soil, which will help them get used to the conditions they will experience.
Mexico vs. Portugal form guide & betting tips
| Mexico | vs | Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| D-L-W-W-W | Form | W-W-D-L-W |
| 7 | Goals For | 15 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 7 |
| W-W-W | Int'l friendly form | W-L-W |
Whispers predicts: Mexico 1-2 Portugal
Portugal have been installed as the favourites with bookmakers to take victory here, and given the strenghth of their squad, we feel inclined to agree.
Portugal to win at 112/100 is therefore the first bet we are willing to recommend.
However, Mexico have been in good form lately, and on home soil, they can certainly cause problems.
Thus, BTTS - Yes at 17/20 is another bet that has a good chance of coming through in our eyes.
With Ronaldo and Leao out, the Portugal goalscorers market could also be one worth exploring for any potential bargains.
Fernandes has been in excellent form at club level with Manchester United, and Bruno Fernandes to score anytime at 10/3 is certainly worth a punt.
Overall, we feel like Portugal will edge this one, and our 1-2 scoreline prediction is available at 8/1 with bookmakers.
> BTTS - Yes at 17/20 | Likelihood: Probable
> Portugal to win at 112/100 | Likelihood: Possible
> Bruno Fernandes to score anytime at 10/3 | Likelihood: Outsider