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Mexico vs Poland Odds & Prediction – World Cup Group C

Gary Gowers

by Gary Gowers in Soccer News

Updated Nov 21, 2022 · 10:51 PM PST

Poland
Poland's Robert Lewandowski celebrates after scoring the opening goal of his team during the World Cup 2022 playoff soccer match between Poland and Sweden at Silesian Stadium, in Chorzow, southern Poland, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
  • It’s Mexico vs Poland in Round 1 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, November 22
  • Argentina and Saudi Arabia are the other two team competing in Group C
  • We preview Mexico vs Poland, look at the odds, and offer some picks

It’s Mexico vs Poland on Tuesday, November 22 in the first round of fixtures in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It all kicks off in Group C at Stadium 974, Doha at 11am ET.

Argentina are the big favorites to win Group C and are expected to get their tournament off to a flyer with a win over Saudi Arabia, so the stakes couldn’t be higher as Mexico and Poland vie for a top two place.

We preview Mexico vs Poland, look at the World Cup odds, and offer some analysis, team news, and picks below.

Mexico vs Poland Odds

Matchup Moneyline
Mexico +170
Poland +185
Draw +195

Odds as of Nov 19 at Caesars Sportsbook. Use this Caesars Sportsbook promo code to bet on this or other games.

This is tough to call with Caesars pitching just 15 Moneyline points between all three outcomes. Mexico starts as a very slight favorite at +170 with an implied win probability of 37.04%, while at +185, Poland has an implied win probability of 35.09%. The draw, at +195, is implied at 33.9%.

Also, be sure to check out BetRivers to grab your World Cup Futures Insurance. Get up to $25 back with BetRivers World Cup Futures Insurance if your team doesn’t make it out of the Group Stage. (Odds must be -200 or greater).

Over/Under and Spread

Caesars are not expecting a goal-fest with over 2.5 goals in plus money at +150, while under is listed at -180. These odds are reasonable, considering that opening games are often the tentative, must-not-lose type, but the chance to more than double your money for a 2-1 or a 3-0 is appealing.

Mexico vs Poland Preview

While Mexico’s record of qualifying for the World Cup finals is good – this is their eighth consecutive tournament – and they usually qualify from their group, they have exited the tournament at the round-of-16 stage in their last seven attempts. They will be hoping for better in Qatar.

Under the guidance of former Argentina manager Gerardo Martino, they have put together a squad that, on paper, is well-equipped to go deep in this competition and in 2019 won the prestigious Gold Cup when beating the USA in the final.

High Hopes for Mexico

They earned their place in Qatar via the grueling CONCACAF qualifying round and secured it with a dramatic 2-0 win over El Salvador on the final matchday to tie at the top of the group with Canada and steer clear of the playoffs.

Not since they were the tournament hosts in 1986 have they progressed beyond the last 16, but a win here against Poland would set them up for a potentially good competition. This game will be key to their hopes.

Mexico vs Poland Head-to-Head Stats

MEXICO
VS
POLAND
13 FIFA World ranking 26
17 Appearances in WC Finals 8
9 Progressed to second phase 4
8-4-2 Qualification record 6-2-2
3-0 (vs Honduras) Biggest win in qualification 7-1 (vs San Marino)
D-L-W-L-W-L Form guide L-D-L-L-W-W

Poles Can Compete With the Best on Their Day

Poland’s record of World Cup qualification is less impressive than Mexico’s, but they have a reputation as tricky opponents who, on their day, are capable of mixing it with the big names.

The Poles have, however, not managed to progress beyond the group stage at their last three tournaments – 2002, 2006, and 2018  – a record far removed from their third-place finishes back in 1974 and 1982.

Lewandowski’s Looking to Break World Cup Duck

Under the tutelage of former Legia Warsaw boss Czeslaw Michniewicz, Poland did a great job in qualifying for Qatar by beating Sweden 2-0 in a playoff, relying heavily on the goals of the great Robert Lewandowski.

This is most likely to be their all-time leading goalscorer’s last World Cup, so Lewandowski will be hoping to go out with a bang having drawn a blank in 2018 in all three group games. If Mexico can keep him quiet, which is not easy, it could be a difficult afternoon for Poland.

Mexico vs Poland Team Lineups and Injuries

Mexico Projected Lineup: Ochoa, Sanchez, Montes, Moreno, Gallardo, Alvarez, Herrera, Guardado, Lozano, Martin, Vega.

Injuries & absences: Corona.

Poland Projected Lineup: Szczesny, Bednarek, Glik, Kiwior, Bereszynski, Krychowiak, Zielinski, Szymanski, Zalewski, Swiderski, Lewandowski.

Injuries & absences: Dragowski, Goralski, Buksa.

Mexico vs Poland Prediction

This will be very close, as the odds suggest, but the searing Doha heat will possibly play a part, with Mexico the likely beneficiary but only if they can deny Lewandowski a plentiful supply of chances.

But he’s not going to keep drawing blanks – he’s too good for that – so with Lewandowski on the mark, there’s value here in a low-scoring draw.

Picks: Mexico and Poland to draw (+195) / Lewandowski to score first goal (+350)

 

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