After the high profile opener of Brazil vs Croatia, the World Cup 2014 is going to witness a rather low-profile encounter between Mexico and Cameroon on this Friday at Arena das Dunas in Natal. Both teams have come to Brazil with a bunch of the over-the-hill stars. Both are in desperate need for the emergence of some fresh winds. The result of the match could well decide who among these two, if at all, will be going to the second round.

Mexico-Cameroon Preview

Both Mexico and Cameroon struggled in the qualifying rounds and even in the pre-world-cup friendly games. What they do not lack is experience. Almost all key players in both the sides are world cup veterans and high-flyers in European leagues. But they are all well past their peak.

Mexico has an edge in that they will be playing in a more familiar environment. The hot conditions in Brazil will not be too unfamiliar to the Cameroon players either, even though they are likely to struggle to do justice to their indomitable lions tag.

Cameroon, as always, will play a physical, box-to-box football. Their style of play could make them vulnerable against the more creative short-pass-based style of Mexico. The winner of the match will gain a huge advantage for qualifying to the next round. Among the other teams in the group, only Brazil poses a challenge. Croatia is in the same boat as these two teams.

Players

Cameroon’s key players, Samuel Eto’o and Alex Song, had had a fractured relationship. Now they are old enough to bury the hatchet. And Cameroon has a history of unearthing golden oldies in world cups. Remember Roger Milla?

Mexico’s has their own set of ageing stars in Javier Chicharito Hernandez and Giovani dos Santos. The latter’s father is a Brazilian. These two players, along with Oribe Peralta, must shoulder the all-important responsibility of scoring goals.

Mexico-Cameroon Prediction

Scoring goals has been a major problem for both these sides.  So, expect a dour game. A draw – either goal-less or 1-1 – is highly likely. Mexico is more creative and slightly more prolific. They may escape with narrow win.

Mexico or Draw 1.28 @ Bet365

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