Neither national team has kept a clean sheet for a long time: prediction for Mexico vs Chile
The friendly between Mexico and Chile will take place on October 7 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Both teams are going through a transitional period and are using the current international window to test new combinations. Mexico head into the meeting after a heavy defeat by the United States, while Chile also lost to the Americans in their previous match.
Mexico: four straight matches with goals conceded
Rafael Márquez's side have yet to win since the coaching change. Mexico drew 1-1 with Colombia and Peru before suffering a 3-0 defeat to the United States. As a result, the national team have conceded in four consecutive matches, shipping eight goals during that run.
At the same time, Mexico's attacking potential remains high thanks to Santiago Giménez, Roberto Alvarado, Orbelín Pineda and other key players. In their last six matches, the team have averaged 1.5 goals per game, while both sides scored in half of those encounters. Against Chile's unstable defense, the hosts should have plenty of chances to find the net.
Chile: 15 goals conceded in seven matches
Nicolás Córdova's side are also going through a difficult phase and have made an underwhelming start to their current run of friendlies. Chile first lost 1-0 to Canada before suffering a 4-2 defeat to the United States. Their defense remains the team's main weakness: Chile have now gone seven consecutive matches without keeping a clean sheet.
During that stretch, Chile have conceded 15 goals, but they have also regularly responded with dangerous attacking moves of their own. Both teams scored in five of their last six matches, while the total went over 2.5 goals in five of those games. Despite their defensive problems, the visitors remain capable of creating chances through Ben Brereton, Darío Osorio and other attacking players.
Match facts and head-to-head meetings
- Mexico have conceded in their last four matches, shipping eight goals.
- Chile have failed to keep a clean sheet in seven straight matches and have conceded 15 goals during that run.
- Both teams scored in five of Chile's last six matches.
Defensive problems could lead to an exchange of goals: prediction for Mexico vs Chile
Mexico look stronger on paper and should control the initiative for most of the match on home soil. However, the team's current defensive form is far from ideal, and eight goals conceded in four matches show that opponents are consistently creating chances against them. Chile can exploit the space left open, especially if the hosts once again commit numbers to attack.
The visitors' defensive situation is even more troubling, making it difficult to expect a clean sheet against Mexico. At the same time, Chile have found the net in most of their recent matches and are capable of maintaining a high tempo. With both defenses vulnerable, both teams scoring looks like a highly likely outcome.
