As Mexico begins their journey in Qatar with a matchup against Robert Lewandowski and Poland, they must put their pre-World Cup struggles behind them and advance into the main event.
El Tri has been performing below expectations for a while, so pressure is mounting on head coach Gerardo Martino to produce at the World Cup in the hopes of keeping his job.
Poland was in a similar situation throughout the summer, but they were able to cheer themselves up with a few successful friendlies right before the World Cup, so they might be in good shape.
These two will compete with Saudi Arabia for the likely second qualifying spot, behind Argentina, who is expected to win Group C.
What about team news?
Raul Jimenez, a striker for Mexico who recently suffered a hip injury, is not yet certain what position he will be prepared for at the World Cup.
In the preseason friendly matchup against Sweden, the Wolves frontman came across as unprepared to help the team. He appeared sluggish and timid.
If so, Henry Martin or Rogelio Funes Mori will play as the central striker.
Mexico is generally in good health aside from the lack of “Tecatito” Corona, which can be compensated for.
Due to long-term injuries, Poland is without Jakub Moder and Bartlomiej Dragowski, but there are no other known issues to raise. In his first season with Barcelona, Robert Lewandowski has been on fire, leading La Liga in goals scored through the first half of the season.
Without a healthy Raul Jimenez, Mexico’s offensive problems make it difficult for them to score enough goals to keep up with Karol Swiderski and Robert Lewandowski.
Mexico will possess the ball for long enough to generate a large number of opportunities that will allow them to advance, but against one of the best strikers in the world, their numerous defensive blunders will bite them in the rear.
But what does the market think?
1×2 Betting Odds
This could potentially be a decider of who goes through with Argentina!
And the market has absolutely no clue how this game will pan out. with dead even odds for the 3 results possible, it is going to be extremely hard to read this this game.
The odds that Mexico comes away with all three points, stand at 2.8. while the odds that Poland win this are at 2.96.
You see how close it is?
And the chance that points will be shared by these two, keeping the whole group on a knife’s edge, are at 3.08.
Total Goals over/under
The market sees this as a low scoring game.
The odds that more than 2.5 goals will be scored in this match stands at 2.56.
The odds that less than 2.5 goals will be scored stands at 1.56.
Considering everything, this match is looking the tightest of affairs!
