Next up in our World Cup team analysis articles, we take a look at Mexico. Miguel Herreraβs men kick off their campaign against Cameroon on Friday June 13 at 5pm, before squaring up to favourites Brazil four days later at 8pm, whilst a potentially key encounter against Croatia on Monday June 23 at 9pm may well decide their fate:
As mentioned in our article on Brazil earlier this week, a quirk in the scheduling hands βEl Triβ two Matchday one fixtures, making their squad immediate targets for our initial lineups before a blank Matchday two – all the more so given that opener against the Africans looks their best chance of racking up the goals.
Road to Qualification
Despite being regarded as a major favourite in their region, the Mexicans faltered badly in qualifying, consigning them to an arduous campaign. They clinched their first group by triumphing in all six fixtures but then finished fourth in a second group (which included USA, Jamaica, Panama , Honduras and Costa Rica), winning only two of 10 fixtures and finishing on 11 points, with a mere seven goals scored and nine against.
Herrera stepped in to steady the ship and miraculously salvaged qualification, thanks, in no small part, to Panamaβs last gasp victory over the USA. That result handed the Mexicans the opportunity to face New Zealand in a two-legged play-off, with Herrera masterminding a convincing 9-3 aggregate win.
Most Starts Javier Hernandez (9), Carlos Salcido, Jesus Zavala (8), Francisco Rodriguez, Andres Guardado, Hector Moreno, Dos Santos (7)
Most Goals Oribe Peralta (8), Javier Hernandez, Jiminez (2)
The Key Targets
The new manager has wasted little time in forging a team of his own making. Herrera has opted for a 5-3-2 formation, mainly choosing players from the Mexican First Division, with most of the more well-known names such as Javier Hernandez, Giovanni Dos Santos and Andres Guardado struggling to make the starting XI, whilst Fiorentia midfielder Matias Fernandez is set to miss out with an ankle problem.
Thereβs little doubt that Oribe Peralta is the main man up front. Described in some quarters as the best striker in the tournament currently not plying his trade in Europe, the 30-year-old (priced at 7.8 in FantasyiTeam) looks certain to lead the line and boasts the ability to create as well as score goals; his prowess in the air carries a significant threat and his five goals over two legs against New Zealand earned Mexicoβs passage.
Mexicoβs forwards will be fed from the flanks, with Herrera putting great emphasis on supply from wide areas. Defensively, Mexico can leave themselves open and clean sheets look unlikely and, with that in mind, the potential attacking returns on offer from wing-backs Paul Aguilarand Miguel Layun could be the best bet for those looking to gamble on the Mexican rearguard. A quick and powerful runner, Layun assisted three of Mexicoβs goals in the play-off win over New Zealand. Skipper Rafael Marquez is present again for those looking to back the more conventional defensive option, with the defensive trio available for 5.3, 5.2 and 5.4 in FantasyiTeam respectively.
In midfield, Portoβs combative Hector Herrera and home-based Carlos Pena and likely to given the freedom to go box-to-box, with Juan Carlos Medina providing the anchor in front of the centre-backs. The powerful Pena (5.5 in FantasyiTeam) is an intriguing option: nicknamed βGullitβ due to his eye-catching locks, heβs been a key man for Herrera and could well emerge as a standout performer. A creator of goals as a link between midfield and the attack, Pena also has the ability to provide his own end product and has returned to form by striking back-to-back goals for club side, Leon, in his last two outings.
The Long Shots
With 11 goals and eight assists in La Liga this season, Giovani Dos Santos has enjoyed a superb season with Villarreal and looks tailor-made as a highly effective number ten. Herreraβs controversial decision to mainly favour home-based talent suggests the former Tottenham man may struggle to earn a starting berth but if Dos Santos can move up the pecking order in the forthcoming four friendlies, thereβs clear potential on offer.
Alternatively, Alan Pulido could be one to consider. Handed a role alongside Peralta against Costa Rica recently, he fired a hat-trick to suggest he could be in line for a role in Herreraβs XI when the tournament gets underway – he comes in at just 6.5 in FantasyiTeam, compared to Dos Santos’ 7.9.
Further Analysis
Group A – Brazil,Cameroon, Croatia
Fantasy iTeam
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Community Articles
Scouting the Group Stages – Group A by Asquishypotato. Fantasy World Cup Differentials by Etihad Engineer, Fantasy World Cup Early Options by Bowstring the Trout.
