Brazil vs Mexico: World Cup 2014 match preview

A look ahead to Tuesday’s group A fixture

Two of Group A’s favourites are squaring off for a critical match that could determine the first qualifier for the Round of 16. Both Brazil and Mexico won their opening matches against Croatia and Cameroon respectively and are now looking to go clear at the top of the table.

LIVE: Follow the latest action from Brazil v Mexico

The hosts kicked off the World Cup with a 3-1 win, which included a controversial penalty drawn by Fred and converted by Neymar. The Barcelona forward seems to have cast away every single fitness doubt with his two goals against the Blazers but Zenit’s winger Hulk seems to have suffered a muscle injury at Sunday’s practice session which raises concerns for manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The Mexicans found it really hard to beat the Indomitable Lions as they had two goals controversially disallowed before Oribe Peralta broke the deadlock and gave El Tri the three precious points that they deserved.

Manager Miguel Herrera is expected to use the same recipe against the Selecao which means that Peralta will be playing up front with former Tottenham Hotspur forward Giovani Dos Santos next to him. This means that Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez will be starting from the bench again.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 8pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Brazil 2 (Neymar, Jo) Mexico 0, Confederations Cup, June 2013

Mexico 2 (Peralta 2) Brazil 1 (Hulk), 2012 Olympic Games, August 2012

Brazil 0 Mexico 2 (Dos Santos, Hernandez), International Friendly, June 2012

STATS…

These sides have faced each other 38 times with Brazil counting 22 wins and Mexico amassing 10 victories.

Brazil have won every major competition but they have never made the Olympic gold medal. Last time they tried, they lost to Mexico at the 2012 Wembley final.

Neymar has scored six goals in his last four international appearances.

The Barcelona forward became the first Brazilian to score a penalty in the World Cup since Ronaldinho in 2002 against China.

Mexico beat an African nation for the very first time last week at their match against Cameroon.

ODDS…

Brazil to win: 3.10

Mexico to win: 11.1

Draw: 5.1

TV: Live on BBC One at 8pm