- Mexico have won their last four games, including a 2-0 success against South Africa in their World Cup opener
- Mexico are a 1.82 favourite to win this game against a Czech team at 4.6 with a draw at 3.55
Mexico make all the sense at the Mexico City Stadium
Mexico have made a great start to the FIFA World Cup 2026, sitting top of Group A with three points from their opening game compared to third-placed Czech Republic's zero. The odds reflect a preference for Mexico to take the spoils in the clash of these two countries in Mexico City on Thursday.
Javier Aguirre has certainly got the best out of El Tri since taking the helm in July 2024, with his side playing a fluid, high-tempo 4-3-3 system that has seen them press from the front and score plenty of goals.
Mexico won 5-0 against Serbia in a friendly game in the spring and then saw off South Africa by a 2-0 scoreline in their first Group A game. Erik Lira pulls the strings in midfield, giving the team a platform to press and push forward, while Julian Quinones is their main threat up front, having scored in the World Cup group stage already.
Czech Republic need a win to stay in contention
Czech Republic's overall form is good as they have won four of their last five games and taken only one loss, but they lost their first World Cup game 2-1 away to Republic of Korea. Vladimir Coufal is the team's creative spark, having already provided an assist in the group stage, but Ladislav Krejci is the main target man up front with one goal in one game.
They set up in a compact 4-2-3-1 formation or 3-4-1-2 formation and try to keep things tight while making a threat on set-pieces and counter-attack. They may be well organised under Miroslav Koubek, who was appointed manager in December 2025, but Mexico's speed, flair and depth should win this clash.
Mexico can edge it in a tactical battle
Mexico's pressing and tempo of the game should unsettle Czech Republic, but the Czech Republic have enough discipline and counter-punching to keep this close. Therefore, we're taking Mexico to win and Both teams to score at around 1.94 because both sides should create enough chances to score.
The draw and Both teams to score odds look big, but we'll stick with the 1.82 Mexico win as the superior choice because El Tri have momentum, superior form and more quality across the pitch.
