Preview: Honduras vs. Mexico – prediction, team news, lineups

Honduras and Mexico will begin their two-legged battle for a CONCACAF Nations League semi-final spot when they meet at the Estadio Francisco Morazan on Saturday.

The hosts scraped through Group B to reach the knockout rounds, while their visitors enter the competition at this stage in pursuit of a first title after falling just short in the previous edition.

Match preview

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Honduras return to action on Saturday aiming to continue their joyous CONCACAF Nations League run and take advantage in their two-legged quarter-final tie, having qualified for the last eight through the League A group stage.

Los Catrachos experienced a mixed start to September, starting with a 4-0 thrashing of Trinidad and Tobago thanks to goals from Alexander Lopez, Kervin Arriaga, Edwin Rodriguez and David Ruizbefore suffering a 2-1 home defeat to Jamaica.

Reinaldo Ruedas team returned to winning ways in a trip to French Guiana last month, which Anthony Lozano, Deiby Flores and Jorge Benguche got on the scoreboard in a 3-2 triumph and they were able to get over the line with a goalless stalemate away to Jamaica in the last round of play, moving Nicaragua into second place on goal difference.

In a bid to reach the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League for the first time, after previously finishing third in the 2021 repeat, Honduras will now bid to make the most of home advantage and take an aggregate lead on Saturday.

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However, they face a tough test as the visitors go into this edition of the Nations League aiming to go five games unbeaten and go one better after their defeat in the last final in March.

Mexico fell just short of winning the competition for the first time in the 2023-24 campaign, getting past Panama in the semi-finals only to suffer a 2-0 defeat to the USA, and after failing to progress through the Copa America group stage in June, they look set to to have rediscovered their form in recent months.

The campaign ended in a goalless stalemate with Ecuador, leaving El Tricolor agonizingly short of a quarter-final place, before handing out a 3-0 victory to New Zealand and playing to a goalless stalemate with Canada in a pair of friendlies in September. the new management of returning boss Javier Aguirre.

They then most recently met the USA in another friendly match during the October international break and avenged the Nations League final defeat, which Raul Jimenez and Cesar Huerta fired them to a 2-0 victory at Estadio Akron.

With momentum back on their side, Mexico will now look to gain a lead in their quarter-final clash before returning to action on home soil next week with their sights set on reaching another final and adding to their trophy cabinet, having won the CONCACAF – the gold. Cup in 2023.

Honduras CONCACAF Nations League form:

Honduras form (all competitions):

Mexico form (all competitions):

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Reinaldo Rueda was set to field a similar Honduras starting XI from the goalless draw away at Jamaica last month in their final group game, with Daniel Maldonado and Luis Vega obliged to continue in the heart of the defense after that clean sheet.

Bryan Acostawho leads the squad with 69 caps, will fight to return to midfield after Deiby Flores and Kervin Arriaga linked up last time out.

Anthony Lozano, who plays in the Mexican top flight with Santos Laguna, will continue to lead the way after scoring 15 goals in 55 appearances for his nation and leaves Rubilio CastilloJorge Benguche and Jorge Alvarez to compete to join him at the top.

Javier Aguirre has a strong Mexico squad to choose from, although the PSV Eindhoven winger Hirving Lozano remains ruled out, while the Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez missed a call-up due to injury picked up in September.

Fulham’s Raul Jimenez will continue to spearhead the attack after scoring 34 goals in his 105 caps, while Henrik Martin could line up in support alongside Orbelin Pineda and Cesar Huerta.

Andres Guardadowho tops El Tricolor’s all-time hit lists with 180, earned his last game against the USA last time out, and Luis Romo could come in to take his place along with key man and captain Edson Alvarez at the bottom of the midfield.

Honduras possible starting line-up:
Menjivar; Najar, Maldonado, Vega, Rosales; Rivas, Arriaga, Acosta, Rodriguez; Lozano, Benguche

Mexico possible starting line-up:
Malagon; Sanchez, Vasquez, Montes, Angulo; Alvarez, Romo; Martin, Pineda, Huerta; Jimenez

We say: Honduras 0-2 Mexico

While Honduras will be eager to take a lead in a tricky away game next week, we don’t see the hosts having the quality to keep Mexico at bay and fancy Javier Aguirre’s side taking control in San Pedro Sula.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, please click here.

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