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Give this much to New Zealand: At least it's having fun at the Confederations Cup. The Kiwis always knew they would be limited to just three matches here in Russia, and they'll probably formally be eliminated on Wednesday night when they take on Mexico in their second fixture in Group A.
At 2 p.m. ET, tune into FOX Sports 1 for live television coverage of this Confederations Cup match on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Mexico -750
New Zealand +1400
Draw +600
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
Mexico is actually laying 2.5 goals on the Asian Handicap. It's a hefty number for sure, but it's hard to say that it isn't justified. There's no doubt that Mexico has a better team than Russia has, even playing here on Russian soil, and New Zealand was beaten 2-0 by the Russians on Friday night. Asking Mexico to come up with a better result, especially when that might be the difference between qualifying and not qualifying for the knockout rounds, isn't too much to ask.
The total is set at a flat 3, essentially insinuating that the final score of this one is almost certain to be either 2-0 or 3-0 in favor of Mexico.
How They Got Here
New Zealand had a terrible time against Russia on Friday night. The Kiwis had just 41 percent of the possession, and the mass majority of it was in their own half. They did muster 10 shots, three of which hit the target, but all game long, they were pushed farther and farther back into their own box.
The White Ferns were victims of an own-goal in the 31st minute when Michael Boxall inadvertently knocked one past his own keeper. Though the New Zealanders hung in there for a little bit, they were ultimately undone by a 69th minute goal from Fyodor Smolov.
On one hand, Mexico was very fortunate to finish with a 2-2 draw against Portugal in its opening match in Russia. The team was down 1-0 after 34 minutes and 2-1 after 86. It's hard, though, to say that El Tri weren't deserving of at least a point. They had 61 percent of the possession in the match and really had the greater of the two sets of really good chances throughout the match. As was the case against the United States last weekend, Mexico just couldn't figure out how to string all that much together in the last third.
It all came together for Hector Moreno's point-saving goal in stoppage time. That should be enough for the Mexicans to breathe a bit of a sigh of relief, but better was truly deserved after a match that was played that well.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
The New Zealanders just don't have the horses to hang in there with Mexico. Give credit to Osorio in that, he has still only been beaten twice in his career while coaching El Tri. Mexico doesn't play a ton of matches against teams that are as poor as this New Zealand squad, and that should provide a bit of a respite.
For as wide open as New Zealand wants to try to play, the only thing that would put this match in the balance would be an early goal. Once Mexico settles down and takes control of the ball, it should be all over from there. This is going to surely be a one-sided affair, and if the White Ferns end up getting too cute in the back, they could end up being embarrassed by a much bigger score line than they were against Russia in the first fixture of the tourney.
Confederations Cup Odds: Mexico 4, New Zealand 0
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