Brazil v Mexico 2018 World Cup Odds & Round of 16 Pick

The marquee matchup of the World Cup’s Round of 16, at least in the Western Hemisphere, features tournament betting favorite Brazil against Mexico, the only entry in the 2018 event from North America. The Brazilians are solidly favored at Mybookie Sportsbook to reach the quarterfinals against either Belgium or Japan – most likely Belgium. We have all the information you need to keep up-to-date on all things World Cup. So far has been a lucrative period thanks to a ton of World Cup prop bets, moneyline wagers and point spreads, there’s plenty of ways to keep it exciting.

2018 World Cup Odds & Round of 16 Pick: Brazil v Mexico

• When: Monday, 10 AM ET
• Where: Samara Arena, Samara, Russia
• 2018 World Cup Odds: Brazil -196 / Mexico +580 / Draw +285 (Total at 2.5 goals)

Head to Head

• Games Played: 40
• Brazil Victories: 23
• Brazil Goals: 73
• Mexico Victories: 10
• Mexico Goals: 36
• Draws: 7

FIFA World Cup Top Goal Scorer Odds

Why Bet on Brazil?

• Confederation: CONMEBOL
• Head coach: Tite
• Captain: Various
• FIFA Ranking: 2
• World Cup Appearances: 21

Brazil always wins its group and this year was no different as it finished atop Group E with seven points. Yet that’s misleading because Brazil could have been knocked out if it had lost its final match. It didn’t, beating Serbia 2-0. Needing to avoid a loss to be sure of advancing, Brazil fielded the same XI as their previous 2-0 win against Costa Rica, as Tite looked for improved understanding among his normal starters. Tite was forced to alter his lineup 10 minutes in when left-back Marcelo exited with back spasms and was replaced by Atletico Madrid’s Felipe Luis. Paulinho scored in the 36th minute and Thiago Silva basically wrapped it up in the 68th minute. The man of the match was Philippe Coutinho. His brilliant ball for Paulinho created the opening goal and his wise passing from the middle of the pitch ensured his team was always in control of the game. Brazil has qualified from the group stage of the World Cup for the 13th consecutive tournament. Brazil won back-to-back World Cup matches for the first time since 2010. Only Neymar and Gabriel Jesus (10 goals) have scored more goals for Brazil under current manager Tite than Paulinho (8 goals). Silva’s last three goals for Brazil have all come in June. Brazil has won 19 of their 24 matches under Tite (D4 L1), giving the Brazilian manager a win percentage of 79%. Marcelo should be able to play in this match. After he was pulled vs. Serbia, Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar explained that the substitution had been a precaution as the 30-year-old had felt muscles “lock up” and knew he could not continue. “Marcelo has a medical history with this kind of injury,” Lasmar said. “Maybe it was the hotel’s mattress, which was a bit more soft than usual. But [the injury] happened because he made a rotation movement and felt uncomfortable after.” Marcelo has missed games for Real Madrid due to muscle problems in both of the last two seasons, with hamstring trouble in his right leg in February 2018 an issue in the same place of the other leg in January 2017. Brazil’s performances have improved throughout the tournament, however, Gabriel Jesus has yet to get on track despite being the team’s top scorer under Tite’s watch. Calls for Roberto Firmino to replace Jesus have been steady but Tite has not lost faith in the 21-year-old Jesus.

Projected Line-Up

• 1-Alisson
• 3-João Miranda
• 2-Thiago Silva
• 22-Fágner
• 12-Marcelo
• 15-Paulinho
• 11-Philippe Coutinho
• 5-Casemiro
• 19-Willian
• 10-Neymar
• 9-Gabriel Jesus

Why Bet on Mexico?

• Confederation: CONCACAF
• Head coach: Juan Carlos Osorio
• Captain: Andrés Guardado
• FIFA Ranking: 15
• World Cup Appearances: 16

Despite having six points through two matches, Mexico could have been eliminated with a loss in its final match depending on what Germany did. El Tri did lose 3-0 to Sweden but Germany was stunned by South Korea and knocked out. Mexico knew before kickoff that a draw would see them progress as Group F winners, but aside from Carlos Vela’s 17th-minute shot which flashed narrowly wide, Sweden dominated the first-half chances. Mexico’s attacking trio of Carlos Vela, Hirving Lozano, and Javier Hernandez started for the third match in a row. It was Mexico’s worst defeat at the World Cup since they were defeated 6-0 by Germany in 1978. Jesús Gallardo was shown a yellow card after just 15 seconds in this game – it is the fastest anyone has ever been shown a card at the World Cup. Full-back Edson Alvarez scored the seventh own-goal of this tournament vs. Sweden – more than there has ever been in any previous World Cup. Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio said he was “very hurt” after the game. He was questioned for sticking to the same 4-3-3 formation and playing the same starting XI for the first time in 51 games. The injuries to Diego Reyes and Nestor Araujo didn’t help. With those two available, switching systems is much easier, with Reyes the natural choice to play in front of a back three. Mexico has reached the last 16 in each of the last eight World Cup tournaments they have taken part in. However, they have lost at this stage in each of the previous six World Cups. In fact, Mexico has won only one knockout game ever at the tournament. Brazil and Mexico have met 40 times overall with Brazil winning 23, Mexico 10 and seven draws. The Mexicans have never beaten Brazil at the World Cup with three losses and a draw. Mexico didn’t score a goal in any of them and gave up 11.

Projected Line-Up

• 13-G. Ochoa
• 15-H. Moreno
• 7-M. Layún
• 3-C. Salcedo
• 21-E. Álvarez
• 18-A. Guardado
• 16-H. Herrera
• 23-J. Gallardo
• 11-C. Vela
• 14-J. Hernández
• 22-H. Lozano

Expert Final Score Prediction

Brazil 2 – Mexico 0