Japan face Mexico in the two teams' final group stage match at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. The game is effectively a dead rubber, since former world champions Italy and hosts Brazil have already qualified for the semi-final stage. The two giants face each other in the second game tonight.

Both the Asian champions and the Central American giants have lost two of two games played so far, with the Mexicans ranked third by virtue of a marginally better goal difference.

Italy v Japan [2013 FIFA Confederations Cup]
Reuters

Where to Watch Japan v Mexico Live

Kick-off is set for 8pm BST. Live coverage will be on BBC Red Button and updates are available on the tournament's official website.

Overview

Japan suffered a narrow 4-3 defeat to Italy in their last game, with Juventus' Sebastian Giovinco giving Cesare Prandelli the win and condemning compatriot Alberto Zaccheroni's side to an early exit.

The result was not what they wanted but the performance was an improvement over the first game, when Brazil beat them 3-0. The Asians began the game well on top, when veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon gave away a penalty inside 21 minutes. But a 10-minute spell in the second half turned the tide in Italy's favour, with Daniele de Rossi and Mario Balotelli scoring either side of an Atsuto Uchida own goal.

Japan will want to end their campaign on a confident note and leave Brazil in a winning mood. They have already booked their place in the FIFA World Cup to be held here next summer.

Meanwhile, Mexico's form can probably be summed up with one fact - they've scored only once and that from the penalty spot. Jose Manuel de la Torre's charges have been poor, with neither Italy nor Brazil unduly troubled in their respective games.

They have yet to confirm qualification for the World Cup and the poor form in this tournament could have problems down the line; Mexico are third in the Concacaf group, with the US and Costa Rica above and both Honduras and Panama pushing hard.

Team Form

Japan

    • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): L L W D L
    • Last Match: Italy 4 - 3 Japan
Brazil v Mexico [2013 FIFA Confederations Cup]
Reuters

Mexico

    • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): L L D D W
    • Last Match: Brazil 2 - 0 Mexico

Team News

Captain Makoto Hasebe is suspended after a second caution of the tournament. Hajime Hogosai may replace him, although Kengo Nakamura and Hideto Takahashi are also possibilities.

Probable Line-Up: Kawashima; Uchida, Konno, Yoshida, Nagatomo; Hosogai, Endō; Okazaki, Honda, Kagawa; Maeda

Jorge Torres may be dropped and Carlos Salcido could drop back into a defensive role. Angel Reyna may take Salcido's place in midfield.

Probable Line-Up: Corona; Mier, Rodríguez, Moreno, Salcido; Torrado, Reyna; Santos, Zavala, Guardado; Hernández

Japan Mexico