Mexico will be after all three points when they take on Honduras in a crucial 2014 World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Olimpico de San Pedro Sula on Friday.
The Mexicans got the hexagonal round of the World Cup qualifiers underway with a frustrating goalless draw with Jamaica at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City in February, and can't afford anymore slip-ups if they want to qualify for the World Cup.
But their visit to Honduras is likely to be extremely complicated, considering that Mexico haven't won there in twenty years, with their last win coming in 1993, when they thumped the hosts 4-1 in Tegucigalpa.
Honduras currently lead the six-team hexagonal round after coming from behind to defeat the United States 2-1 courtesy of goals from Juan Carlos Garcia and Jerry Bengtson.
Jose Manuel de la Torre, the coach of Mexico, will field a full-strength squad for the clash, which includes European-based players such as Manchester United's Chicharito Hernandez, Mallorca's Giovani dos Santos and Andres Guardado of Valencia.
De la Torre has yet to decide whether Jesus Corono or Guillermo Ochoa will defend the Mexican goal, as both goalkeepers have been in fine form with their respective clubs Cruz Azul and Ajaccio in recent months.
Rivals Honduras, who trounced Canada 8-1 in the third round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, will be pumped after their victory over the Canadians and also their comeback win over the United States, and are fully aware that if they manage to overcome the Mexicans they would take a massive step towards Brazil 2014.
Luis Fernando Suarez, the Colombian coach of Honduras, recently confirmed to the press that he will field a side almost identical to the one that beat Canada and the United States, with his two front-men expected to be Carlo Costly and Bengtson, Honduras' two most influential players.
Striker David Suazo, formerly of Inter Milan and Benfica, was not selected in the Honduras squad for the clash with Mexico due to a serious injury which could force the player to announce his retirement at the age of 33.
Honduras' last four matches
Feb 6, 2013: Honduras 2-1 United States (WCQ)
Nov 14, 2012: Honduras 0-0 Peru (Friendly Match)
Oct 16, 2012: Honduras 8-1 Canada (WCQ)
Oct 12, 2012: Panama 0-0 Honduras (WCQ)
Mexico's last four matches
Feb 6, 2013: Mexico 0-0 Jamaica (WCQ)
Jan 31, 2013: Mexico 1-1 Denmark (Friendly Match)
Oct 16, 2012: Mexico 2-0 El Salvador (WCQ)
Oct 12, 2012: Guyana 0-5 Mexico (WCQ)
Facts
- The last time the sides met in San Pedro Sula, Honduras claimed a comfortable 3-1 victory.
- Mexico haven't won in Honduras since 1993, with that game ending in a 4-1 win for El Tri in Tegucigalpa.
