Mexico vs Jamaica Odds & Prediction – CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying

• It is Mexico vs Jamaica in the opening round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying  on Thursday, September 2 at 10:00 pm EST
• Mexico was runner-up to the USA in this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, while Jamaica lost to the USA in the quarterfinals
• We preview the game, look at the odds, and offer some picks below

Mexico opens their World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign on Thursday, September 2 at 10:00 pm EST against Jamaica in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca. Last time out, the Mexicans lost 1-0 to the USA in the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, while the Jamaicans were beaten 1-0 by the same opponents at the quarterfinal stage.

We list the odds, preview Mexico vs Jamaica, and offer below the best picks for this World Cup qualifier.

Mexico vs Jamaica Odds

Odds as of September 2 at DraftKings

In Form Mexico

Mexico’s two recent defeats by the USA – in the CONCACAF Nations League final and the final of the Gold Cup – left them empty-handed this summer but the margins were fine; both games won and lost in extra time. But this is a good Mexican team, who will be very confident of a top-three finish in this eight-team CONCACAF qualifying group, which earns them a place in Qatar 2022.

The other six teams in the group are Canada, Honduras, El Salvador, USA, Panama, and Costa Rica, and if, as expected, Mexico qualifies, it will be the eighth successive time they have qualified for the World Cup finals.

After waiting more than a month… ⌛️👀

IT’S MATCHDAY ONCE AGAIN! 🔜🇲🇽🆚🇯🇲#PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol pic.twitter.com/h8cIseHGsY

— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) September 2, 2021

This is the third phase of CONCACAF qualifying for QATAR 2022 although Mexico, by virtue of their FIFA ranking of 9, had byes in rounds one and two. They have, however, played plenty of soccer in 2021, and tonight’s game will be their 15th of this calendar year, which has seen them win nine, draw two and lose three – two of which were extra-time defeats.

Hard to Beat Under Martino

The Mexicans qualified for Russia 2018 with ease, losing just once in their 10 games, and finished top of the CONCACAF qualifying group, so this will be a big ask for Jamaica as Mexico set off on another campaign. The Reggae Boyz also have to contend with facing the home side in a stadium that has become a fortress for them. Not since  September 2013 have the Mexicans lost a game in the legendary Azteca and so even a point for Jamaica would be a major shock.

📰 NEWS 📰@santigim10 will join our squad for this International Break, replacing @Raul_Jimenez9 for the @Concacaf Qualifiers. 👤🇲🇽

Welcome, "Santi"! 👋🏼🤙🏼#PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol pic.twitter.com/bTFslTUJOl

— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) September 1, 2021

Gerardo Martino’s Mexico team has managed to retain its tradition of flair and style but has added organization and solidity to its list of qualities. While before, because of their attacking approach, teams always felt they had a chance against them, now they are a hard team to beat.

Mexico vs Jamaica Head-to-Head Stats

Whitmore Goes From Legendary Striker to Coach

Jamaica has nothing like the World Cup pedigree of Mexico, and if Theodore Whitmore can lead the Reggae Boyz to Qatar, it will just be for the second time in their history. As a player, Whitmore was a key in leading them to the 1998 World Cup finals in France – he scored five goals in their qualifying campaign – and will be keen to add a World Cup qualification to his coaching résumé.

Running into our first World Cup qualifying game like @andreblake29 🏃🏿‍♂️💨
.#QatarMotivated #ReggaeBoyz #MEXvJAM #JourneyToQatar #RoadToQatar2022 #JFF_Football pic.twitter.com/csUvNQ1Way

— Official J.F.F (@jff_football) September 2, 2021

Since his appointment as coach in 2016, Whitmore has taken the Reggae Boyz up to another level and they have performed consistently well in CONCACAF competitions – particularly the Gold Cup – but this is the first time they have made it to the latter stages of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying since 2014.

This group of Jamaican players is widely regarded as the most talented for a generation and have a chance of emulating the heroes of 1998, but the last 18 months, for a whole variety of reasons, have been difficult for them. They come into this match off the back of a run of two wins in seven in 2021 but, perhaps of more relevance, is the fact that they have recently played well in match-ups with Mexico and have not lost against them in their last two.

Tomorrow we face off with 🇲🇽 to begin our #FIFAWorldCup2022 campaign 🔥
.#QatarMotivated #ReggaeBoyz #MEXvJAM #JourneyToQatar #RoadToQatar2022 #JFF_Football pic.twitter.com/B1kZxCR2kW

— Official J.F.F (@jff_football) September 2, 2021

Mexico vs Jamaica Best Bets

Mexico, unsurprisingly, starts this one as a big favorite – helped by the fact they are unbeaten in their last 11 games at the Azteca – and will be looking to lay down down an early marker, not just to the Jamaicans but to the other six teams in the group.

If Mexico is able to impose itself early on and they get an early goal, then it could be a long night for Whitmore’s men, but I do not expect Jamaica to be steam-rolled as the odds suggest. These Reggae Boyz battle and play with spirit. The value here looks to be with a home win but by a modest score; maybe just a one or two-goal victory.

Pick: Mexico to win 2-0 (+450), or 3-1 (+1300)