Sometimes the World Cup throws up unmissable occasions. A 1am kick off for England away at the Azteca Stadium is one of those, with the joyous hosts buoyed by a sensational run so far through the tournament. England face a daunting prospect trying to beat a Mexico side yet to concede a goal.
A come-from-behind triumph over DR Congo has at least ensured that the Three Lions roar on for now. They will need their best players’ mentality as much as technical quality to fight their way through a memorable event, though hopefully the gulf in class between the two squads will show through 90 minutes, 120 minutes, or a dreaded penalty shootout.
Mexico vs England Match Odds
For the first time this World Cup, England are odds against to emerge victorious. They are a best price of 6/4, with Mexico and the draw both at 9/4 for the 90 minute result.
Mexico vs England Tips & Predictions
Has anyone mentioned the altitude? Or Mexico’s record at the Azteca Stadium? Now, has anyone mentioned the fact that these have been mentioned, and come up with amusing counterarguments like how high the Hawthorns is, or that Mexico count Brazil’s under-23s among their competitive home games?
Yes is the answer to all of the above, so let us analyse this from a market perspective. Whatever you make of Thomas Tuchel’s squad, there is still significantly greater quality than in Mexico’s. The hosts’ results so far have been impressive, especially their 2-0 win over Ecuador. Their group stage games, against poor opponents, count for little apart from the momentum afforded El Tri.
Conversely, there has been an overreaction to England’s performance against DR Congo. Iceland this was not. But for a very tight non-penalty decision and some profligate finishing in the first half, England would have made their last 32 progression a formality. As it was, Harry Kane needed to step up, and did. There were more positive signs than our naturally pessimistic media (and social media) were willing to credit.
Conditions will be factor and Tuchel will have to use his bench smartly to combat the thinner air. However, temperatures are down below 20 degrees Celcius on Sunday night in Mexico City, a storm threat being the most adverse weather to combat.
Mexico might well play more expansively than they may have at the beginning of the tournament. We expect England matches to be turgid affairs, but this could be an entertaining one. 8/11 would have been odds you’d have expected of England to win this match, let alone to qualify by any means. Take those if you do not believe in tempting fate, while both teams to score, plus a speculative dart at a 3-1 England win could prove profitable outside fancies.
Our Tips for Mexico vs England
England to Qualify @ 8/11
England to win & Both Teams To Score @ 5/1
Mexico 1-3 England @ 28/1
Mexico vs England Head-To-Head
England won the only previous competitive meeting between these two nations, a 2-0 victory at the home World Cup of 1966 en route to their greatest triumph. The Three Lions lead the head-to-head 6-2 in all, with one draw, although the three results Mexico have gained have all been at home, with England never victorious away to Mexico. Their most recent meeting was a 3-1 friendly win for England in 2010.
Mexico vs England World Cup Record
Mexico have a long record of heartbreak in the last 16, though the two tournaments they have played at home have seen them reach the quarter finals, in 1970 and 1986. That is their best finish at a World Cup, with England having beaten that on three occasions, winning the tournament in 1966, and twice reaching the semi finals, in 1990 and 2018.
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