In london the game will be airing around midnight.
So it gives us plenty of time to mull over the potential line-ups.
As well as the tactical battles and players to watch out for.
We previously met mexico in a tight game.
A game full of action, it had everything; red cards, penalties and a cluster of goals.
This time around a draw will not do for some supporters, especially with some of the main cast fit and raring to go e.g. Emenike and Moses.
And certain individuals such as the one pictured above are not featured in this game.
Areas of Concern
Ochoa
the Mexican shot stopper
is a concern for mexico with regards to disharmony
it was reported that he did not want to fly over for one of the games
to "quote sit on the bench".
He will be eager to impress to go as their number one
but will also have pressure on his shoulders
Gio dos santos
The ever so sleek team mate of ike uche will not be playing today due to a hamstring injury
how will this affect the morale as well as mexico's game plans and prep.This is a sigh of relief for Nigeria. Time will tell if he will be missed sorely.
Javier Hernandez
He has been on the bench constantly just like our own Victor Moses
so he could either be extremely rust or extremely hungry,
Also in the last game he was lethal scoring the opening goal and the last but equalising goal of the game.
His movement was not picked up by our defenders Nigerians will be hoping that there is no repeat of that.
Peralta
The forward whose shooting boots have been on fans will be hoping our cb's can keep his shoe laces untied all game.
Mexico is a fast paced team with players who have technique and precision also they are ranked highly.
Mexico like Nigeria is in transition and is looking to step out of the shadow of Europe.
With added emphasis on home based players as keshi.
Victor Moses
Benched like Hernandez but given a lease of life at the international stage it is a similar story hungry or rusty. Also with many players up and coming the fight for shirts are on and if he provides the kind of performance like he did against the Italians twisting and turning the full back or like he has done against Ethiopia it will be a cause of concern.
Emenike
Hailed as our main man our star striker one of our star players can he keep up his fine exploits will he explode into life?
will he give veteran marquez a torrid time with his pace and power?
Mexicans are yet to see him raring to go since he missed the last clash but we will be hoping he will be a cause for concern.
Musa
Can he prove his doubters wrong and announce himself to the world with devastating pace
and clinical finishing?
Musa for some is an enigma, some say he is the Nigerian walcott but then again walcott did have that Croatia game.
So who knows what he will do this game his pace alone is a cause for concern but that potential for flashes of brilliance, plus the bringing into the fold of uchebo. This could be the catalyst for the musa keshi sees?
5-3-2
v 4-3-3 or 4/2/3/1 or 4/3/2/1
mexico
ochoa
d.reyes---marquez-moreno
m.aguilar--aquino/medina--hererra-montes-guardado
hernandez---peralta
Nigeria possibly
enyeama/ejide
balogun oboabona omeruo elderson
onazi azeez
mikel
imoh emenike/uchebo ejike/moses
So the battle will really be on in midfield,with mexico playing a five man midfield. This will cause our midfield three to be in with a battle. But that does cause some weaknesses such as at the back if or should i say when we break through either by counter attack or through ball the cb's may not be able to deal with the pace coming at them especially the veteran marquez. Also our defence should be alert to the slippery antics of hernandez and elderson was beaten a few times in the previous friendly so he should also be on the look out.
One of the main key points will be the efficiency of our final ball how often can mikel azeez or onazi steal the ball in midfield and set emenike imoh etc on their way towards goal.
I predict 3-1 or 2-1 to Nigeria
I hope 4.
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