Nigeria vs. Mexico: Last-Minute Preview and Predictions for Tonight's Friendly

International friendlies may not count for anything in the short-term, but their long-term implications are innumerable.

With club seasons across the world ending and most every injury situation figured out, managers will be using the starting 11 they plan taking to the matches that actually count. That allows for chemistry to build, rotational strengths to build and the always-important working out the kinks that understandably exist with every national team at the moment. 

Such is the case for Nigeria and Mexico, who are mere minutes from kicking off their high-profile tie at Houston's Reliant Stadium. The decision to host this friendly outside both countries struck some as strange, but Houston's willingness to do so should indicate the high intrigue for this fixture.

Mexico and Nigeria's warm-up match sparks an onslaught of upcoming matches. Nigeria will play six matches in the next 24 days, including two World Cup qualifiers and this year's Confederations Cup. El Tri is also staying busy, with three CONCACAF matches scheduled between Friday and June 11—their all-important tie at Panama before also heading to Brazil for the Confederations Cup.

With both clubs descending to Brazil within the month, it's possible these two could see one another again. Let's take a complete look at some last-minute players to watch and predict the outcome of tonight's affair.

Game Information

When: Friday, May 31, at 9 p.m. ET

Watch: Reliant Stadium, Houston

Watch: ESPNEWS

Live Stream: ESPN3

Mexico Player to Watch: Javier Hernandez

The last time we saw Hernandez on the pitch, he was making quite an impression. The 24-year-old Manchester United forward scored the final goal in Sir Alex Ferguson's managerial career, a strike in the 63rd minute versus West Brom.

That goal capped quite a successful club run for Hernandez, who continued to be a dangerous scoring option despite a diminished role. He scored 10 goals and had three assists in his 23 appearances (nine starts), as Manchester United went on to win their second Premiership in three years. 

One problem: Hernandez's club excellence doesn't exactly help his country. The last time Hernandez stepped out on the pitch for Mexico, the result was nothing short of a horror film. He was utterly listless versus the United States in March, which was one of the root causes of Mexico only getting a draw out of the match.

Even worse, it came after an utterly scintillating outing for Hernandez against Honduras—also a draw thanks to some defensive breakdowns. You'll notice a pattern here for Mexico. 

While Hernandez is in no danger of losing his spot, El Tri needs its star striker to find more consistency on the attack. Mexico has yet to win a match this year, drawing five times, and it will be critical that Hernandez comes through with a strong performance. Confidence is everything heading into the CONCACAF matches. The continual slippage and inconsistency cannot continue.

That impetus starts with Hernandez. If he can strike the back of the net early, this match could be Mexico's first win of the year. If not, well, maybe their first loss is coming. 

Nigeria Player to Watch: Ogenyi Onazi

Just 20 years old, Onazi is one of the most promising players in the world—at least among those who you haven't already heard about incessantly. While Onazi might not have the hype of, say Jack Wilshere or Neymar, he spent his entire club season carving out a name as a force to be reckoned with going forward. 

He showed flashes of two-way brilliance with Serie A outfit Lazio, though it was understandably in limited doses. Onazi scored a goal in both club competition and the Europa League, showing a nifty ability to find offensive action where the situation necessitates it.

That subtle ascent with Lazio—in his first season, no less—gives Nigeria promise both in the interim and going forward. The result of soccer matches, especially at the international level, are often predicated on the excellence of a midfield. Onazi isn't anywhere near a superstar level at this point, but his flashes of brilliance come in spurts.

With Nigeria coming as a one-goal underdog (per Bovada), they will need an x-factor to step up and have a game to remember. As Mexico continues to try sorting out its long-term plans in the midfield, Onazi is as likely a candidate as any.

He won't get on the scoreboard, but don't be surprised if Onazi is the man of the match for Nigeria. 

Prediction

Even though this is technically a neutral-site game, let's just be honest for a second. Nigeria is walking into a Houston-fied version of Estadio Azteca, not a split field the two would see on a more traditional neutral field.

The crowd will be heavily pro-Mexico, even with the usual drove of casual gawkers coming in. That doesn't necessarily mean Nigeria has no chance to win the match, but picking them is an awfully difficult proposition.

Mexico should walk into this match with motivation at an apex. Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre's club has been in poor form almost the entire 2013 calendar year, and their busy schedule in June leaves little time for preparation. 

Look for Mexico to get off the schneid and finally start looking like a top-tier country again. Hernandez scores at least one goal, as El Tri marches to an easy victory.

Score Prediction: Mexico 3, Nigeria 1

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