Mexico vs Germany Rio 2016 Olympics football preview: Team news, TV, prediction and betting odds

James Benge4 August 2016

After several years in the Arsenal wilderness Serge Gnabry has what may be one of his last chances to prove himself to Arsene Wenger with the German Olympic team.

Since breaking into the first team at just 17 years of age at the start of the 2013/14 season the winger has seen his progress stall, a cruciate ligament injury and a wasted six month loan spell at West Brom sending Gnabry slipping down a pecking order that now includes Alex Iwobi and Jeff Reine-Adelaide.

But at 21 there is still reason to believe Gnabry can fulfil his potential and play a role at Arsenal next season, not least if he can return to London clutching a gold medal.

He is certainly well-placed to do that and finds himself in a German squad stacked with high-quality performers including Bundesliga stars Lars and Sven Bender, Julian Brandt and Leon Gortezka. Horst Hrubesch’s side are joint-second favourites with Argentina to win the tournament, only hosts Brazil are a more popular choice.

An opening game against Mexico ought not to hold too much fear for Gnabry and company, who will be expected to top a group also containing South Korea and Fiji.

Rio 2016 Olympic Games Venues - In pictures

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Date, time and venue

Germany’s tournament begins against Mexico at the Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador on Friday August 4. Kick-off is at 21:00 BST.

Where and when to watch

The match will be broadcast live on the BBC.

Team news

Mexico squad

Goalkeepers: Manuel Lajud, Alfredo Talavera

Defenders: Jose Abella, Erick Aguirre, Victor Guzman, Cesar Montes, Rodolfo Pizarro, Carlos Salcedo, Jordan Silva, Jorge Torres

Midfielders: Arturo Gonzalez, Erick Gutierrez, Michael Perez

Forwards: Marco Bueno, Carlos Cisneros, Hirving Lozano, Oribe Peralta, Erick Torres

Rio 2016 Olympic Village - In pictures

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Germany squad

Goalkeepers: Timo Horn, Jannik Huth

Defenders: Robert Bauer, Matthias Ginter, Lukas Klostermann, Philipp Max, Niklas Suele

Midfielders: Sven Bender, Lars Bender, Julian Brandt, Max Christiansen, Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka, Maximilian Meyer, Grischa Proemel, Jeremy Toljan

Forwards: Nils Petersen, Davie Selke

Prediction

Betting odds (via 888 Sport)

Mexico win: 11/5

Draw: 9/4

Germany win: 5/4

Gnabry first scorer: 9/1

Gnabry to score: 18/5

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