Mexico vs Poland – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Mexico vs Poland on and what time does it start? Mexico vs Poland will take place on Tuesday 22nd November, 2022 – 16:00 (UK)
Where is Mexico vs Poland taking place? Mexico vs Poland will take place at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for Mexico vs Poland? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Mexico vs Poland
What channel is Mexico vs Poland on in the UK? Mexico vs Poland will be televised live on BBC
Where can I stream Mexico vs Poland in the UK? Mexico vs Poland can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app
THE LOWDOWN
MEXICO
- Mexico were made to pay for capitulating in their final group game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup as that 3-0 loss to Sweden meant they were pitted against Brazil in the Round of 16.
- They were subsequently beaten in that contest but will have their sights set on outperforming their efforts from four years ago with a lot of the nation’s hopes likely to be resting on the shoulders of the impressive Hirving Lozano.
POLAND
- Poland endured a hugely frustrating campaign at the last World Cup as they failed to get out of their group with defeats to Senegal and Columbia sealing their fate but they will use that failure as motivation in Qatar.
- The Poles will want to get off to a strong start here owing to how they started in Russia, especially as they are involved in a competitive group but in striker Robert Lewandowski, they boast one of the best finishers in the world at present.
THE TEAM NEWS
MEXICO
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Ochoa; Sanchez, Araujo, Moreno, Gallardo; Herrera, Chavez, Rodriguez; Lozano, Funes Mori, Vega
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Raúl Jiménez (Injured)
POLAND
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Szczesny; Bednarek, Glik, Kiwior; Cash, Krychowiak, Bielik, Zelewski; S. Szymanski, Lewandowski, Zielinski
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- Mexico are unbeaten in their opening match in each of the last six editions of the FIFA World Cup with five wins and one draw. A 1-0 loss against Norway in 1994 was their last opening fixture defeat
- This is Mexico’s eighth successive FIFA World Cup appearance; they have not missed a final tournament since 1990
- Mexico have qualified from their group in each of the last seven editions of the FIFA World Cup (1994-2018), only Brazil have achieved the same feat
- Mexico have lost only three of their last 20 World Cup group stage matches (W10 D7)
- Andrés Guardado and Guillermo Ochoa are featuring for a record-equalling fifth time at the World Cup, they are among the four players to reach this number at Qatar 2022. Overall, eight players have achieved the feat, including fellow Mexican players Rafael Márquez and Antonio Carbajal
- Mexico have conceded a total of 98 goals at World Cup final tournaments. Heading into Qatar 2022, only Brazil and Germany have conceded more than 100
- Mexico have not scored in their last two World Cup matches. They have not played three successive matches without scoring at the finals since a three-match run across the 1966 and 1970 editions
- Mexico’s Alfredo Talavera is the oldest player participating at Qatar 2022. He was 40 years and 63 days old at the start of the tournament
- Poland were successful in the only previous World Cup meeting between these two nations. The European team won 3-1 in their encounter in the group stage in 1978
- None of Poland’s last 12 World Cup matches have finished as a draw, the last one being a 0-0 tie against Morocco in the group stage at Mexico 1986
- Poland have not managed to make it further than the group stage in their last three World Cup final tournaments (2002, 2006 and 2018) meaning they have not played a knockout phase match since defeat against Brazil in the round of 16 in 1986
- Victory for Poland would see them win two successive World Cup matches for the first time since they won back-to-back matches against Peru and Belgium at the 1982 finals
- Poland have won each of their previous four World Cup matches against CONCACAF nations
- Poland have lost their opening fixture in each of their last three World Cup appearances
- Poland have won their opening fixture only once in their eight previous World Cup appearances. This was a 3-2 victory against Argentina in 1974
THE PREDICTION
This could well be a hugely pivotal clash in Group C as Mexico take on Poland. With one of the pre-tournament favourites Argentina also in the group, it could be that these two are battling it out for second spot and with it, the other place in the Round of 16. Both teams come into this on the back of an inconsistent run of form and that could well lead to a nervy affair here with so much at stake. In three of Poland’s last four matches, only one goal has been scored while there were only two goals in the other contest so expect a low-scoring matchup here.
TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
