Czechia vs Mexico
We’re already nearing the final stage of the group matches and World Cup 2026: Czech Republic vs Mexico, kicking off at the Azteca Stadium on Wednesday night local time is the last chance saloon for Miroslav Koubek’s Czechs.
El Tri are already through, top of Group A with two wins from two while the Czech Republic are in third place and with just a single point to their name, and they come into the match on the back of dropping two late points against South Africa. The Europeans have plenty of experience in their squad and the qualified hosts may rest one or two players, but they are so hard to beat on home soil, and the Czech Republic vs Mexico betting odds make Javier Aguirre’s men the clear favourites to win this final group match.
Talking Points
Great start for Jimenez
While the likes of Spain, Argentina and England are tipped to reach the last four of this competition El Tri are tenth favourites and in the category of dark horses. They made a comfortable start against South Africa, with a 2-0 win but Mexico had to work hard to beat South Korea, edging a tight tussle 1-0 and they needed help from the Korean keeper who spilled a Raul Jimenez header for Luis Romo to collect and lift into the net. While Wolverhampton Wanderers legend Jimenez was not on the score sheet, he did force the crucial error and that on the back of his goal in the opener. Against the Bafana Bafana Jimenez could have had a hat-trick but for some superb South African defending and he scored a powerful trademark header to get off the mark at World Cup finals.
At 35 years of age Jimenez is still a whole hearted attacker, with a superb work ethic and great finishing skills and I reckon he’ll add to his 46 goals in 126 internationals over the next couple of weeks.
I’ve been impressed too by attacking midfielder Bryan Gutiérrez. The 23 year old Guadalajara star is direct running and, with quick feet, he is a nightmare to defend against, and Vladimir Coufal will have his work cut out in the Czech Republic defence.
Czechs have lost their killer instinct
After losing their opening round match to the Korea Republic, after leading until midway through the second half the Czech Republic then let some more points slip from their grasp, drawing 1-1 with the lowest ranked nation South Africa. Michal Sadilek gave the Czechs an early lead but they didn’t do enough to stretch it against a side dismantled by Mexico a few days earlier, and when Teboho Mokoena equalised with an 83rd-minute penalty, their knockout phase chances took an almighty blow.
With nothing to lose I expect the Czech Republic vs Mexico highlights to see Koubek’s men making the running against El Tri, and Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick will hope to open his account. With 26 goals in 55 games for the Czechs, he is a reliable goal scorer and, while this is the 30 year old’s first World Cup, Schick has six goals in seven games in European Championships, winning the Silver Boot as the joint top scorer in 2020 and scoring one goal from the half way line against Scotland.
Another player I expect to feature heavily is West Ham United’s Tomas Soucek. He started on the bench against the Bafana Bafana but his strong running, tough tackling and goal threat from set pieces could be crucial for the Czechs on Tuesday night.
History
Mexico are at their 18th World Cup finals and will hope to match or better their quarter final appearances in 1970 and 1986 on the two previous occasions they hosted the world showcase.
The Czech Republic are at their tenth World Cup finals and were runners up way back in 1934 and 1962.
Recent form favours El Tri who have picked up five wins from their last five games while the Czech Republic have won two, drawn two and lost one.
Betting Tip
The Czechs are at SBOTOP odds of 3.81 to win this vital clash and a draw will be no good for the Europeans. In Schick they have a player who can score from anywhere, but Koubek’s side may find the going tough against the hosts who are devilishly hard to beat on home soil.
The Czechs’ heads may drop if they don’t make a fast start, and then there is no guarantee they can kill off a game so I fear they may be on their way out, and for a correct score line my alternative bet is 2-0 to Mexico at odds of 8.60.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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