Against All Odds: Far from cool runnings for Mexico

4Jun 2013

Betfair

Mexico make the trip to the Caribbean in the early hours of tomorrow morning for a World Cup Qualifying clash with Jamaica and Paul Robinson thinks the Reggae Boyz can upset the visitors and get a result.

Jamaica haven't qualified for a World Cup since France 98 but they have made it through to the final stage of qualification in the CONCACAF section. In the previous round they finished second in their group behind the United States and are now battling it out with five other sides to earn one of the three automatic qualifying spots.

Theodore Whitmore's men are currently bottom of the pile but it's still early days and their two points from three games has them only three adrift of Panama at the top. They lost last time out at the end of March in Costa Rica but prior to that they held the group leaders at home and picked up an impressive point away at tonight's opponents. It's also worth noting that in the previous phase of qualification, Jamaica won all three of their home games - including a 2-1 victory over USA.

Mexico made it through to this stage after demolishing their opponents in Group B with six wins from six. Things haven't gone as smoothly recently though as they've drawn all three of their games in this round and are only fifth in the table - one place above Jamaica.

José Manuel de la Torre's side continued their run of draws into their recently friendly encounters as they were held by Peru and then in Houston by Nigeria. The lack of goals in 2013 must be a concern for the manager as his team have fired three blanks in their last five matches.

The Mexicans are the better outfit on paper and unquestionably have the higher rated players, but the Jamaicans are tough to beat and do have home advantage. That's why, with Mexico trading as low as 1.81, I have to make them my lay of the day.

Recommended Bet
Lay Mexico v Jamaica @ 1.81