Mexico vs Jamaica predictions: Back both teams to score in Texas tussle

Jamie Griffith
Spotlight
Mexico boss Jaime Lozano (right) has made some controversial choices in his squad
Mexico boss Jaime Lozano (right) has made some controversial choices in his squad

- Both teams have scored in seven of Jamaica’s last 12 games
- Mexico have conceded seven goals in their last two outings
- Recommended bet: Both teams to score

Jamaica will be looking to make history at the 2024 Copa America as they aim to earn their first point in the competition, having lost all three games in their previous two appearances in 2015 and 2016. 

They open with a Group B match against Mexico, who were runners-up in 1993 and 2001, in the early hours of Sunday morning and the Reggae Boyz could play their part in an exciting clash in Houston.  

Team news

Mexico boss Jaime Lozano shocked many with his squad selection as he left out iconic goalkeeper Guilhermo Ochoa, experienced striker Raul Jimenez and fan favourite Hirving Lozano. 

West Ham’s Edson Alvarez and Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez will likely be their star men in the United States. 

The biggest news from the Jamaica camp has been Leon Bailey’s refusal to play this summer. In the Aston Villa star’s absence, Fulham’s Bobby Decordova-Reid and experienced winger Shamar Nicholson will likely flank West Ham’s Michail Antonio in an exciting front three. 

Kasey Palmer, Demarai Gray and Amari’i Bell are a few of the other big names in a strong Reggae Boyz squad. 

The stats

Both teams have scored in seven of Jamaica’s last 12 games.

Mexico have conceded seven goals in their last two outings.

El Tri forward Santiago Gimenez scored 23 times in 30 Eredivisie matches for Feyenoord this season.

Both teams found the net in four of the last five meetings between this pair.

Jamaica are unbeaten in 90 minutes across their last seven matches, winning each of the last three.

The Reggae Boyz are winless in their last five clashes with Mexico.

Michail Antonio is part of a promising attacking unit for Jamaica
Michail Antonio is part of a promising attacking unit for Jamaica

Prediction

Mexico are understandably favourites for this match due to their pedigree in this competition, but Jamaica could give El Tri a tougher game than many are anticipating. 

The Reggae Boyz are unbeaten in 90 minutes - they lost in extra time to the USA in March - across their last seven games, beating a talented Canada side in that run, and finished third in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup. 

They are winless in their last five games against Mexico, so a win may prove beyond them, but both teams have scored in four of those clashes and that trend could continue in Texas. 

Mexico shipped a combined seven goals in their two warm-up games against Brazil and Uruguay, so defence is clearly an area of weakness for Lozano’s side. 

They should have enough to score though, with Gimenez a real threat up front having netted 23 times in 30 Eredivisie appearances for Ajax this season. 

The Reggae Boyz boast some serious attacking talent themselves however, most notably West Ham’s powerful striker Antonio and Al-Etifaq’s Gray, who has five goals in 11 appearances for the national team. 

Given both teams have scored in seven of Jamaica’s last 12 games and with so much attacking talent on display, it seems likely both teams will score in Houston on Sunday. 

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Tags

Copa AmericaMexicoJamaica