Uruguay strikers Luis Suárez (L) and Edinson Cavani. (Photo : Getty Images)
CONCACAF powerhouse squad Mexico is scheduled to clash with CONMEBOL giants Uruguay at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on June 5, Sunday in a Group C contest in the 2016 Copa América Centenario.
Mexico, presently ranked 16th in the world by FIFA, is one of the favorites to win this summer's tournament along with South American teams Argentina and Brazil as they had been in top form since new head coach Juan Carlos Osorio took over from Miguel Herrera in October of last year.
The national team is currently on an 11-game undefeated streak, which includes an eight-game winning run. They also have never allowed a single goal from opponents in five games under Osorio, Sports Illustrated reported.
El Tri's power comes from Bayer Leverkusen's Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez as the main scoring threat up front, a self-assured midfield composed of Hector Herrera and Andres Guardado, and battle-worn defenders Paul Aguilar, Rafael Marquez, Hector Moreno, and Miguel Layun.
However, their most important advantage in this tournament is the support of the home fans as the matches are all held in main land USA.
In this match against Uruguay, Mexico gains a significant advantage as the status of FC Barcelona striker Luis Suárez is uncertain. This season's La Liga top goalscorer suffered a hamstring injury last week during Barça's 2-0 Copa del Rey final victory over Sevilla.
La Celeste, FIFA's world no. 9 team and the winningest nation in the history of Copa America as per the Los Angeles Times, still has enough firepower to top Group C, but it will be a lot harder without Suárez.
Head coach Óscar Tabárez still has in his disposal Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani as a legitimate scoring threat and a highly-experienced and capable backfield led by Atletico Madrid's Diego Godin and Getafe's Alvaro Pereira, which is a crew that could topple any one of the favorite contenders.
Hope is not lost for Los Charrúas as Suárez is expected to return in action in the knockout stages where the team is set to face the world's best teams.
The predicted result is a close 2-1 decision for Uruguay.
Mexico starting lineup (5-3-2 formation): Ochoa; Reyes, Marquez, Moreno, Aguilar, Layun; Herrera, Guardado, Duenas; Hernandez, Peralta
Uruguay starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Muslera; Gimenez, Godin, M. Pereira, A. Pereira; Laxalt, Rios, Gonzalez, Vecino; Hernandez, Cavani
