Confederations Cup
2013-06-16 - Mexico vs Italy
A Sports Betting Pick by DownUnder
Venue: Estadio Do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
Sunday, Brasilia June 16th 2013 Kickoff 16:00(LOCAL)20:00 GMT
Head to Head
All matches:
Played 7 Italy 6 wins, Mexico 1, Draws 4
Confederation Cup - None
Last encounter :
Italy 1-2 Mexico (friendly in Brussels, Jun 2010)
Last 6 Games
Italy DDWWDD
Mexico DDWDDD
Italy
The Azzurri made the Confederations Cup by virtue of Spain beirng the world and Euro champions and they coming 2nd in Euro 2012 ( it’s a bit like being offered a place in Europe for losing the FA cup, to the premiership champions).
Regardless Cesare Prandelli, the Italy coach is taking grasping the opportunity offered and has assembled a very formidable team. Italy are four points clear in their World cup qualifying campaign and should qualify automatically. Italy's only loss in 22 competitive games under Cesare Prandelli was the defeat to Spain in the Euro 2012 final.
The one criticism that can be levelled at Italy is they are displaying the signs of “burnout” they were lucky with their goalless draw against the Czech Republic, and Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Haiti was "embarrassing" according to Prandelli. (shades of 3-3 draw in the warm-up game against New Zealand before the Confed Cup 2009 ??)
Mario Balotelli has found a new lease on life after ridding himself of ManCity, and genuinely looks as if he’s enjoying playing for the Azzurri. Expect him to be served handsomely by crosses from both sides of the pitch through Alessio Cerci and Antonio Candrev.
Mexico
Mexico is struggling at the moment, they just can’t find the back of the net, they have drawn five of six games in the final stage of qualifying for Brazil 2014, with four of those matches ending 0-0, they are by no means assured of making the World Cup next year.
Jose Manuel de la Torre, Mexico coach has an impressive record of having only lost three of 37 games in charge, but rest assured, elimination in this tough group could be just be the event that brings the axe down on him.
He will have to hope that his miss firing strikers Javier Hernandez, Aldo De Nigris, and Giovani Dos Santos can weave some magic, because otherwise they will need to defend in numbers to get anything out of this match.
The Betting Verdict
Italy's last win against Mexico was 20 years ago in a friendly on home soil, they have every opportunity to overturn that stat on Sunday.
But again I’m looking for a low scoring affair, Italy is renowned for slow starts at tournaments, though a loss would be a shock a draw is distinct possibility.
The Pick :
Mexico 0 v Italy 1
BEST BETTING TIP :
Shrimp on the Barbie (main bet)Go for Italy to win 1-0 at 7.00 at BetVictor
and if you after a small salad (small second bet)...
Take Half time/Full Time to be Draw/Italy @ 5.75 at BetVictor
