Mexico vs. Honduras: World Cup 2018 Qualifying Live Stream, Preview

Mexico will enter their qualifier for the 2018 FIFA World Cup against Honduras at the Azteca Stadium on Thursday with a full contingent of attacking talent. Forwards such as Real Sociedad's Carlos Vela and Javier Hernandez of Bayer Leverkusen should both feature for the CONCACAF leaders.

The presence of Vela and Hernandez will be supplemented by midfield schemers such as Porto's Hector Herrera and Andres Guardado of PSV Eindhoven. A team as rich in attacking talent as El Tri will surely cause a Honduras defence led by FC Dallas star Maynor Figueroa a host of problems.

Before a preview, here are the schedule and live-streaming details:

Date: Thursday, June 8

Time: 10 p.m. ET. 3 a.m. (Friday, June 9) BST.

Live Stream: Fox Soccer 2GO.

Preview

Things appear bleak for Honduras in qualifying after failing to win in their last two matches. However, skipper Figueroa remains upbeat.

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The 34-year-old told Goal's Jon Arnold how Los Catrachos' ability to play different back lines could prove key. Figueroa discussed how things didn't work well against the USA last time out but also cited how he and his team have earned positive results against El Tri in the past:

"We feel good playing both ways. What's important is the form we arrive in and the willingness we have to be able to do things as well as possible. I think at the time, I don;t know if it was the conditions in the stadium but at the best it wasn't our best and from there the United States got everything right.

"Starting the match, I think conceding this first goal and then the second so quickly I think cut us down, it weakened our ability, but with the back five we also went and got a result in Mexico. I think beyond the scheme the coach is using, it's about how ready each individual player is."

Figueroa is right to focus on what Honduras can do defensively, since coach Jorge Luis Pinto's players will likely be put on the back foot by forward-thinking Mexico. There is no other way for El Tri to play when boasting so much quality in the final third.

In fact, the toughest part of coach Juan Carlos Osorio's job is likely identifying the right combinations to deploy up front. It's no easy task since his squad is loaded with talented forwards.

Benfica's Raul Jimenez and Jesus Corona of Porto join Hernandez and Vela, as does LA Galaxy ace Giovani dos Santos, per Goal. The latter still possesses the guile and flair needed to unlock even the most packed defences.

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Osorio may need to turn to attackers such as Dos Santos and the tricky Corona at some point, since Honduras will probably sit deep and hold a rigid defensive shape.

When Honduras do venture forward, expect their main threat to come from Romell Quioto. The Houston Dynamo front man has three goals to his name so far in qualifying.

Quioto aside, Honduras will struggle to see enough of the ball to pose a sufficient threat to upset El Tri. Instead, Mexico will continue their strong qualifying campaign with a two- or three-goal victory.