El Tri Captain Alvarez Out Injured Copa America
Group B: Venezuela vs Mexico Soccer Odds
Winner Moves to the Top of Group B
In what is likely to feel like a home game for Mexico, El Tri take on Venezuela on Wednesday in California in their second Copa America group game. Mexico won 1-0 vs. Jamaica on Saturday, while Venezuela picked up a surprising 2-1 victory over a ten-man Ecuador.
Wednesday’s winner will move to the top of Group B but Mexico will have to make do without injured captain Edson Alvarez. We’ll go through the Venezuela vs Mexico soccer odds as La Vinotinto look to win consecutive group games for just the second time in team history.
Venezuela vs Mexico
Records: Venezuela (1-0-0), Mexico (1-0-0)
Date & Time: Wednesday, June 26, 9:00 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Stream: Fox Sports
Venezuela vs Mexico Head-to-Head
Before betting on the Venezuela vs Mexico soccer odds, punters should note Mexico have never lost to Venezuela. In 13 matches, Mexico are 10-3-0. However, Venezuela have gotten closer to their first win over Mexico recently, with three draws in the last five meetings. These teams last faced off in 2019, as Mexico picked up a 3-1 victory in a friendly. Both teams have scored in each of the last five head-to-head matchups.
Venezuela Transforming Under Batista
In Venezuela’s opening Copa America match against Ecuador, their opponent was the dominant team early. Even after Ecuador striker Enner Valencia received a straight red card, Ecuador were still the better side and led 1-0 heading into halftime. At halftime, Venezuela coach Fernando Batista subbed in Jhoander Cadiz and Eduard Bello to play a more attacking game.
It paid dividends as Cadiz and Bello scored the goals in Venezuela’s 2-1 comeback victory. Batista has transformed this Venezuela team and infused them with real belief. Since taking over as coach in March 2023, Venezuela have lost just two times in 13 games. Venezuela have a real chance to qualify for their first-ever World Cup and their Copa America campaign will be a real benchmark for their progress.
Through one match, Venezuela are in first place in the Group B Copa America standings. A win would almost certainly seal their place in the knockout stage. Venezuela’s all-time leading scorer Salomon Rondon and midfielder Yangel Herrera are two players to watch for.
Mexico Start With Bittersweet Win
The Mexicans lost midfielder and captain Edson Alvarez to a hamstring injury under 30 minutes into their opening match against Jamaica. Fabrizio Romano has reported Alvarez will miss the rest of Copa America. Mexico managed to scrape by Jamaica, with a 1-0 win, but it wasn’t pretty. Jamaica had a goal called back for offside and Mexico left back Gerardo Arteaga bailed El Tri out with his first goal for the national team.
Jaime Lozano has made bold calls by leaving Hirving Lozano, Raul Jimenez, Memo Ochoa, and Jesus Gallardo out of the squad. The manager prioritizes youth, as he called up no outfield players 30 or over. Santiago Gimenez has an opportunity to make a name for himself on an international stage but the Feyenoord striker has scored just four times in 27 appearances.
Julian Quiñones did look dangerous on the left wing in Mexico’s opening match and he’s scored twice in five Mexico appearances. The spine of Mexico’s team is undoubtedly solid but they seem to be lacking in final third creativity.
They can grind out results against lesser opponents but they’ll be up against it when facing the top-tier sides in the tournament. Mexico haven’t reached a Copa America Final since 2001 and the odds are stacked against them to go that far in 2024.
Venezuela vs Mexico Match Analysis & Odds
Mexico can’t afford to take Venezuela lightly. La Vinotinto have been getting impressive results lately and they have a coach unafraid to make in-game adjustments. Still, Mexico have never before lost to Venezuela and El Tri are +115 favorites for Wednesday’s match in Southern California.
Even when Mexico plays the USA in California the atmosphere can often be pro-Mexico. So, they have an unofficial home-field advantage. A draw wouldn’t at all be surprising and one comes in at +215 odds. However, Mexico will be gunning for three points with a difficult match versus Ecuador left on the Copa America schedule.
Venezuela don’t seem to be afraid of any South American opponents anymore. They won’t fear a Mexican team that has been up and down over the last few years. Here, the Venezuela vs Mexico soccer odds price Venezuela as +275 underdogs and Venezuela +0.5 at -130.
The over/under is currency at two goals, and over two goals are priced at -135. It doesn’t look like a terrible pick, as Venezuela can give Mexico some defensive headaches.
| Team | Handicap |
|---|---|
| Venezuela | +½ -135 |
| Mexico | -½ +115 |
