Saudi Arabia and Mexico square off on the final matchday of Group C with a spot in the last 16 of the World Cup.
Having shocked Argentina and the rest of the world with victory over Lionel Messi’s side first up, Saudi Arabia were brought back down to earth by Poland in a 2-0 defeat on Saturday.
Now a point behind Poland and level with Argentina, the Saudis know victory against Mexico will take them into the last 16 for the first time since 1994. However, Mexico themselves have to win to stand any chance of qualification.
Saudi Arabia vs Mexico H2H Results (Last Five Results)
Current Form (Last Five Games)
Saudi Arabia team news
Saudi Arabia’s shock victory over Argentina means they know another win here will book their spot in the last 16.
Yasser Al-Shahrani flew home after undergoing successful jaw surgery, with Herve Renard expected to name a similar starting XI to those that played the Argentina and Poland games.
That Poland match was disappointing for the the Green Falcons as strikes from Piotr Zielinski and Robert Lewandowski downed them 2-0.
Saudi Arabia Starting 11 (4-3-3): Al-Owais; Al-Burayk, Al-Boleahi, Al-Amri, Abdulhamid; Al-Najei, Al-Malki, Kanno; Al-Buraikan, Al-Shehiri, Al Dawsari.
Bench: Nawaf Al-Abid, Al-Obood, S. Al-Dawsari, Al-Ghanam, Al-Obood, N. Al Dawsari, Babhir, Asiri, Otayf, Al-Hassan, Alaqidi, Al-Rubaie, Altambakti, Madu.
Mexico team news
Mexico cannot afford to name a weakened side for their final group game as they currently sit bottom of Group C.
There could be changes up front, however, with neither Hirving Lozano nor Alexis Vega making much of an impact in the defeat to Argentina. However, whether Raul Jimenez will be trusted to lead the line in light of his recent fitness issues remains to be seen.
Andres Guardado, who became the sixth men’s player to feature at five World Cups, was substituted with an injury and is a doubt for this one.
Mexico Starting 11 (3-5-2): Ochoa; Araujo, Montes, Moreno; K. Alvarez, Chavez, Herrera, E. Alvarez, Gallardo; Lozano, Vega.
Bench: Guardado, Jimenez, Antuna, Alvarado, Martin, Funes Mori, Rodriguez, Gutierrez, Romo, Pineda, Arteaga, Vasquez, Sanchez, Talavera, Cota.
With World Cup last 16 qualification at stake for both sides, this is a massive game.
Mexico are yet to score a goal this tournament and will need manager Gerardo Martino to ease off the handbrake slightly if they are to manage enough attacking force to break down a tough Saudi defence.
Renard’s side were unlucky to take nothing from their defeat to Poland, and while they may not have enough attacking quality to win this game, they could secure a draw which may take them through.
Prediction: Mexico 2-2 Saudi Arabia
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