Mexico Soccer 2017: TV Channel, Schedule, Prediction, Probable Lineups For WCQ vs. Costa Rica

The two top teams in the CONCACAF hexagonal meet on Friday night, when Mexico hosts Costa Rica at Estadio Azteca in a World Cup qualifying match. In what is expected to remain a competitive qualifying group, Costa Rica has won both their matches, while Mexico is tied for second place with a win and a draw.

El Tri will be without some key players in a key matchup leading up to Russia 2018. Versatile midfielder Andres Guardado, perhaps the squad's most valuable player, is out with a leg injury. Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio will also be without the services of Giovani dos Santos, Jesus "Tecatito" Corona, Hirving Lozano and Marco Fabian.

But Osorio has plenty of depth for his 3-4-3 lineup. Jonathan dos Santos is expected to get the nod in midfield to fill in for Guardado. Orbelin Pineda, a 20-year-old midfielder who has featured for Chivas, may see plenty of action, as well.

For Oscar Ramirez's Costa Rica squad, center back Oscar Duarte, who plays for Espanyol, is sidelined with a knee injury.

Also missing for Costa Rica might some of their fans. According to a report, 300 Ticos were stranded at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose. The Azteca crowd is among the most intimidating in the world, but Costa Rica is still optimistic they can get can get two road wins with a match also looming against Honduras next week.

"Our mentality is always to go out to win," winger Christian Bolanos said. "We believe that we can get the six points. We have to think like that if we want to continue in the search for qualifying. We know the quality of the two opponents. It will not be easy, but we will be betting on doing our job well and playing smart matches."

The last time Mexico hosted Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifying match was in June 2013. The matched ended 0-0.

Mexico Probable Lineup

G: Ochoa

D: Araujo, Marquez, Moreno

M: Damm, Herrera, J. Dos Santos, Pineda

F: Vela, J. Hernandez, Jimenez

Costa Rica Probable Lineup

G: Navas

D: Acosta, Umana, Watson, Matarrita

M: Salvatierra, Azofeifa, Borges, Bolanos

F: Ruiz, Campbell

Start Time: 8:50 p.m. ET

TV Channel: FS1 and Univision Deportes

Prediction: Mexico defeats Costa Rica, 2-0