After a celebratory ceremony to open up the World Cup in Brazil, followed by the hosts and Croatia, Group A continues on. Mexico and Cameroon step up to keep the party going, although this game could be more subdued than the opener.
World Cup Odds: Mexico +125, Cameroon +265, Draw +215
Why Mexico Can Win
Mexico simply has more talent than their opposition in this game, they just have to utilize it. They have Giovani dos Santos and Oribe Peralta up front with Javier Hernandez coming off the bench, while Hector Herrera is a promising player as an attacking midfielder. Their 5-3-2 formation allows the fullbacks to push forward and pressure teams down the wing, although it isn’t known just yet who those fullbacks will be for Mexico. Rafael Marquez leads an experienced group of central defenders, while Jose de Jesus Corona is in goal for Mexico, who do have able backups in net.
Mexico has been a consistent bunch as they have progressed past the group stage in five consecutive World Cups, going out in the first knockout stage in each of those World Cups, but at least they’re confident when it comes to group play.
Why Cameroon Can Win
Cameroon’s chances live and die with Samuel Eto’o, who will be playing with a huge chip on his shoulder. He has been in a war of words with manager Jose Mourinho since being released from Chelsea, and Eto’o is a fiery competitor as it is; he would love nothing more than to have a big World Cup and rub it in his former manager’s (the two also worked together at Inter Milan) face. He is the epitome of a poacher as a striker and he only need a slight chance in the box to score a goal. Cameroon also has a solid pair of midfielders in Alex Song and Jean Makoun that will have to help out a young group.
Cameroon has some issues at the back (a lot, actually), but they are coming into this World Cup as a major underdog and they should all have a chip on their shoulder, which makes them dangerous and it isn’t like Mexico is a world-beater. Cameroon is going to respect their opponents, but they won’t have any fear and that will be important not only in this game, but in this group.
Outlook
This will be the second meeting for these countries as Mexico beat Cameroon 1-0 in a friendly in 1993. This game will be much bigger for obvious reasons, and it might not have the free-flowing play that the opener between Brazil and Croatia will likely have. This will be a cagey affair between these Group A teams.
Cameroon does have their problems when it comes to defense, but will Mexico have the patience to break them down? The Africans are going to defend, defend and defend some more, and that is going to be enough for them to get a point in this match.
Pick: Draw
