Croatia vs Mexico : Preview and Predicted Lineup

Mexico and Croatia play each other in their final Group A match of FIFA World Cup 2014.

This is just the second meeting between the teams in all the international match. The team previous met in 2002 FIFA World Cup encounter and Mexico were victorious in that match by 1-0. Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored the penalty in hour mark after Boris Zivkovic was sent off after causing the penalty.

Croatia were victorious in their previous match after Mario Mandzukic scored 2 goals to beat Cameroon 4-0. They however lost their opening match against hosts Brazil by 3-1 and and need a win at least if they are to go to the next round.

Mexico held Brazil to a goalless draw in their previous match and are on course to go through to the next round. they beat Cameroon 1-0 in their opening game after Oribe Perlata score the winner. A draw is enough to put them through but a win might take them to the top of the table if Brazil fails to win against Cameroon.

Team News:

Mario Mandzukic made a brilliant start in the last game and he should continue up front with Sammir just behind him. Mateo Kovacic will be in the bench yet again like he was in the last match too. Rakitic and Modric will continue to play deeper in midfield with Lovren and Corluka in heart of defense.

Mexico is likely to put up an unchanged side after their spirited draw against Brazil. Gullerme Ochoa was fabulous in that match and he is without a doubt the first player on the team sheet. Javier Hernandez will continue on the bench as Perlata and Dos Santos continue to pair up front.

 

Probable Starting Lineup:

Croatia:

Formation: 4 – 2 – 3 – 1

Pletikosa: Srna, Corluka, Lovren, Pranjic: Rakitic, Modric: Perisic, Sammir, Olic: Mandzukic

Mexico:

Formation: 3 – 5 – 2

Ochoa: Moreno, Mrquez, Rodriguez: Layu, Guadrado, Vazquez, Herrera, Aguilar: Santos, Peralta