World Cup last 16: Brazil vs. Mexico starting XIs, predictions, betting odds, TV
Mexico face the ‘game of their lives’ against the World Cup favourites
Brazil vs. Mexico
- When: Monday 2 July
- Kick-off time: 3pm
- Where: Samara Arena, Samara
- TV channel: live on ITV
Mexico skipper Andres Guardado has stoked the fires ahead of their clash against Brazil by calling on Fifa and the match officials to “keep on top” of Neymar because he likes to “exaggerate fouls”.
The Brazil No.10 had a penalty decision reversed against him in the match against Costa Rica and Guardado wants to see the video assistant referee (VAR) used to counter any antics.
Speaking ahead of the last-16 clash in Samara, Guardado said: “We all know Neymar, it’s not up to me or us to judge, but the referees and Fifa.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Now they have VAR they have to watch his style of play and the referee needs to be on top of it because we know he likes to exaggerate fouls, he likes to drop on the floor a lot.”
‘Perfect scenario’
Had Mexico drawn their final group game they would have played Switzerland in the last-16, but the 3-0 loss to Sweden means they face the World Cup favourites.
Real Betis star Guardado has urged his Mexican teammates to take a huge step by beating Brazil and reaching the quarter-finals.
He said: “What better motivation can there be other than the fact that we’re facing the game of our lives?
“We’re not going to have any excuses. If we’d finished first in the group - and with all respect to Switzerland, if we’d beaten Switzerland people would’ve said: ‘Oh, it’s because it’s Switzerland’.
“So we’re up against the perfect scenario against Brazil, the five-time champion. We’re all really excited about this opportunity football has given us, a situation that can’t get any better, and hopefully we’re able to finally take this step.”
Brazil vs. Mexico starting XIs
Brazil vs. Mexico predictions
Mark Lawrenson, BBC Sport: “I don’t think Brazil enjoy playing against Mexico, who have a decent record against them. Brazil have won four of their past six meetings but, since 1999, Mexico have won seven and draw three of their 15 matches. So the Mexicans will not fear them the way some teams do - but they might have problems stopping them. Brazil look like they are just starting to come to the boil. Neymar has not really got going yet but, when their attack clicks, the pace with which they come forward is frightening. Prediction: Brazil 2 Mexico 0.”
The Daily Telegraph: “Mexico have been well organised, exciting and have Guillermo ‘El Muro’ [the wall] Ochoa in goal. They will be hard to break down. However, the favourites should be able to find a way through. Man for man, they are a much better team and a moment of genius is more likely to come from a man in a canary yellow shirt than a green one. Prediction: 1-0 Brazil.”
101GreatGoals.com: “Having shipped three goals against Sweden, Mexico will find it difficult to keep a shut out again Neymar and company. Prediction: Brazil 2-0 Mexico.”
Brazil vs. Mexico betting odds
Best prices according to Oddschecker (as of 1 July).
- Brazil to win: 8/15
- Draw: 7/2
- Mexico to win: 15/2
- Neymar (Brazil): 11/4
- Gabriel Jesus (Brazil): 4/1
- Philippe Coutinho (Brazil): 11/2
- Roberto Firmino (Brazil): 11/1
- Taison (Brazil): 15/2
- No goalscorer: 19/2
- Willian (Brazil): 10/1
- Paulinho (Brazil): 11/1
- Javier Hernández (Mexico): 13/1
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'The Hum': the real-life noise behind The Listeners
In The Spotlight Can some of us also hear the disturbing sound that plagues characters in the hit TV show – and where is it coming from?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: Are we any closer to identifying UFOs?
Podcast Plus, will deals with Tunisia and Kurdistan help Labour? And what next for the Wagner Group?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 16 - 22 November
Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender first
Speed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Champions League expansion plan to be agreed
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Joachim Low and the Lions women’s team
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Sturgeon slams Rangers fans over title celebrations
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Keely Hodgkinson and Bryson DeChambeau
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Klopp’s unwanted record as Liverpool lose again at Anfield
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Tiger Woods and Tom Brady
By Mike Starling Published