Mexico striker Raul Jimenez. (Photo : Getty Images)
Group A leaders Mexico (5-0-0, 15 points) will gun for an undefeated performance in the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF qualifying tournament as they host tough team Honduras (2-2-1, 7 points) at their home ground of Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Sep. 6, Tuesday.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 9:00 p.m. UTC+5. It can be viewed live online thru FuboTV.
Mexico has yet to taste defeat as the fourth round of CONCACAF qualifiers enters its final matchday on Tuesday.
El Tri blanked Los Catrachos, 2-0 during their first meeting at the Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula in November of last year and is expected to replicate their performance this time even without injured striker and leading goalscorer Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez.
Head coach Juan Carlos Osorio's squad is coming off another lopsided victory with a 3-1 rout of lowly team El Salvador in the previous matchday at the Estadio Cuscatlán in San Salvador, via ESPN.
La Selecta actually started the scoring at the 24th minute of the game with a successful penalty kick from defender Alexander Larin, which gave the hosts a 1-0 lead at the half.
However, the Mexicans drilled three goals in the second half, courtesy of Hector Moreno, Angel Sepulveda, and Raul Jimenez at the 52nd, 57th, and 73rd minutes to turn the tables on El Salvador and snag their fifth straight win.
Meanwhile, Honduras got their payback with a 2-1 triumph over Canada at their home stadium in San Pedro Sula also during the previous matchday, Goal reported.
Canadian defender Manjrekar James scored the opening goal of the game at the 35th minute, but Honduran midfielder Mario Martinez was able to find the equalizer during the first half injury time to help the hosts enter the break tied at 1-1.
Head coach Jorge Luis Pinto's side secured the win in the second half with a goal from winger Romell Quioto at the 50th minute off an assist from striker Alberth Elis.
The top two teams in each group after the fourth round of qualifiers will advance in the fifth round, or the Hex, where the top three teams will advance to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. At the moment, Mexico had already qualified for the Hex.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is a close 2-1 win for Mexico.
Mexico starting lineup (5-3-2 formation): Ochoa; Marquez, Ayala, Torres Nilo, Moreno, Layun; Guardado, Aquino, Herrera; Sepulveda, Jimenez
Honduras starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Escober; Figueroa, Izaguirre, Beckeles, Palacios; Claros, Martinez, Acosta; Lozano, Quioto, Elis
