Preview:Mexico vs Dominican Republic - prediction, team news, lineups

Both looking to commence their Group A campaigns on a positive note, Mexico and Dominican Republic clash at SoFi Stadium in the Gold Cup on Saturday night.

El Tri are preparing for the hosting of the World Cup in a year, whilst Los Quisqueyanos are aiming to upset the odds in this tournament.

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Match preview

As one of three host nations for the 2026 World Cup, Mexico are aiming to get into a habit of winning ahead of football's grandest stage arriving on their shores, with the North American giants picking up their first bit of silverware of the calendar year in March.

Finding the net twice in the final contest versus Panama a few months ago, Fulham striker Raul Jimenez secured the CONCACAF Nations League title for El Tri, who are one of the pre-tournament favourites to enjoy success this summer in the United States.

Mexico have started their summer schedule by facing off against UEFA duo Switzerland and Turkey in friendly fixtures, losing 4-2 to the Swiss on June 7 before managing a 1-0 success over the latter, with Orbelin Pineda netting the only goal of the game.

El Tri are the current holders of the Gold Cup after their victory at the SoFi Stadium over Panama back in the summer of 2023, when Santiago Gimenez bagged a last-minute winner for Jaime Lozano's troops in front of 72,000 supporters.

Whilst Mexico have enjoyed the luxury of warm-up matches without any consequences, Dominican Republic are on a mission to join El Tri are next year's World Cup, facing off against Guatemala and Dominica in qualifying matches so far this month.

Los Quisqueyanos enjoyed a standout success last time out against Dominica, with five different players getting onto the scoresheet for the hosts at Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez in front of just shy of 7,000 fans.

Dominican Republic have been in a rich vein of form in recent times, losing just one of their last 11 matches across all competitions stretching back to June 2024, when they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Heimir Hallgrimsson's Jamaica.

Bagging a goal in each of Los Quisqueyanos' matches so far in June, Dorny Romero is the shining light up front for his nation, with the 27-year-old approaching the 30-goal mark on the international scene.

Mexico form (all competitions):

Dominican Republic form (all competitions):

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Team News

After being rested from the start during the victory over Turkey last time out, Mexico pair Jimenez and Santiago Gimenez should make up the two-man forward line.

Once part of the furniture at major tournaments for El Tri, Guillermo Ochoa is likely to settle for a spot on the bench this weekend.

Keeping a solid clean sheet in the thrashing of Dominica last time out, Dominican Republic will stick with a centre-back pairing of Luiyi de Lucas and Edgar Pujol.

Bagging three goal contributions in Los Quisqueyanos' most recent match, Peter Gonzalez of Getafe will be confident of shining on the Gold Cup stage.

Mexico possible starting lineup:

Malagon; Sanchez, Reyes, Montes, Gallardo; Pineda, Alvarez, Ruiz, Vega; Jimenez, Gimenez

Dominican Republic possible starting lineup:

Valdez; Urbaez, De Lucas, Pujol, Dollenmayer; Rosario, Gonzalez, Kaparos, Morschel, Reyes; Romero

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We say: Mexico 3-0 Dominican Republic

 

Against arguably the weakest outfit in Group A, Mexico will be confident of commencing their Gold Cup campaign with three points.

Los Quisqueyanos have a real challenge on their hands in Inglewood this weekend and are likely to suffer a heavy defeat.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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