South Africa vs Mexico – Franco could spoil hosts’ party
Published:Mexico’s Guillermo Franco is 6/1 to score first in today’s opening match of the World Cup, as hosts South Africa take on Mexico at 3pm.
Having staged the World Cup in 1970 and 1986, Mexico will know all about the pressure of hosting, and they will be hoping to spoil South Africa’s party today.
Gatecrashers-in-chief will be former West Ham striker Guillermo Franco and Arsenal’s Carlos Vela, who are temptingly priced at 6/1 and 7/1 respectively to score first.
Franco has seven goals in 21 international appearances, while Vela found the net during Mexico’s impressive 2-1 win against reigning champions Italy.
Former Barcelona forward Giovani Dos Santos is another player in good nick, and he is also a strong contender to score first at 9/1.
With a population well over 100 million and a nationwide passion for football, it is surprising that Mexico have only reached the World Cup quarter-finals when the tournament was on their own patch in 1970 and 1986.
They are fancied by many as dark horses in Group A, and they are 9/1 to go at least one better than their personal best by reaching the semi-finals.
South Africa have been defensively solid recently, but Mexico will be confident of piercing the hosts’ backline.
The North Americans have scored at least once in each of their last seven matches, and with Franco, Vela and Giovani on form, a Mexican win is attractively priced at 7/5.
How do you see this match going? The draw is 23/10. See the full South Africa vs Mexico market.
