Mexico and El Salvador will collide in a FIFA World Cup qualification game. Both teams are paired together in Group A with Canada and Honduras. The top three teams (winners of each group) automatically advance to play in the 2018 World Cup, so every game has to be taken seriously. This is the first qualifying game for both of these teams.

These two Latin American nations are separated by about 300 miles, but their national teams will face off on Friday night.

Mexico (24)

It's been a great year for the Mexican National Team so far. For the seventh time, they won the CONCACAF Gold Cup, this time defeating Jamaica in the finals. Mexico is the highest ranked CONCACAF team, and the only North American team ranked in the top 30. Mexico hasn't lost a single game dating back to the Copa America as they are undefeated in their last 12 matches.

Javier Hernandez has been on fire lately for both club and country. "Chicharito" scored the opening goal against the United States in a game Mexico won to clinch a spot in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. Hernandez will be the most talented offensive player on the field on Friday night.

Guillermo Ochoa has been recalled, and he is expected to start in net for Mexico. Giovani dos Santos is still out with an injury, so Carlos Vela will be starting in his spot. Andres Guardado, who had an amazing Gold Cup, will once again be commanding the middle fielders. Mexico's biggest weakness is their defense. Although they earned a clean sheet last game over Panama, Mexico had allowed at least two goals in each of the last three consecutive games.

Mexico will face Honduras in their next game on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

El Salvador (94)

El Salvador certainly has their hands full in this game. They'll be on the road, and they are taking on the best CONCACAF team. El Salvador is just 5-29 all-time against El Tri. This would be a huge victory for El Salvador if they can open with an upset over the kings of CONCACAF.

El Salvador lost their last game to Haiti, and they know they have to play better going forward. El Salvador soccer fans haven't seen their team qualify for a World Cup since 1982. It's been a long time. Henry Hernandez is expected to start in net, and it looks like he may be in for a long day against Mexico's powerful offense.

The offense, led by Rafael Burgos, has to start scoring more goals for this team to have a chance. Mexico has won the last four meetings outscoring El Salvador in the process, 11-3. In 2012, El Salvador faced Mexico in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers but lost 2-0 in a group stage game. Once again it was Javier Hernandez who lit the lamp for Mexico. El Salvador has to find a way to contain Hernandez or it's going to be a long night.

El Salvador's next game will be against Canada on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Schedule

Mexico and El Salvador will play each other on Friday, Nov. 13 at 9 p.m. EST at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, Mexico. You can watch a live game stream here.

Prediction

El Salvador wants to win this one badly, but Mexico just has too much fire power. Mexico should get off to a good start in this tournament at home with a convincing victory. With this win Mexico continues to proves themselves as the top soccer nation in CONCACAF.

Mexico wins 3-1

Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1