Mexico vs Sweden Betting Preview

Kick-off: Wednesday, 27th June @16:00 GMT

Venue: Ekaterinburg Arena, Yekaterinburg

Head to head record

Sweden vs Mexico 3-0 (1958 World Cup)

Mexico vs Sweden 2-1 (1994 friendly)

Mexico vs Sweden 0-0 (2005 friendly)

Mexico vs Sweden 0-1 (2009 friendly)

They have played another five friendlies in the period between their first ever match in 1958 until 1994. Overall, Sweden has four wins, Mexico two and there were three draws.

Mexico vs Sweden predictions

Mexico have two wins under their belt and are looking like a solid contender. Sweden have beaten South Korea but fell to a 95th-minute free-kick winner against Germany in the second game even though they were leading early on.
In this game, Mexicans need a draw to top the group.

The Swedes, on the other hand, need a big win and to better Germany’s score. Even then they won’t be safe because of the head to head rule since they lost to the Germans, who are also battling for a place in the knockout phase.

Strolling into the knockout phase

Mexico have done well to earn themselves the title of favorites to top the group and win all three opening games. Thea have quick forwards and can trust Ochoa in goal to keep the goal safe as he has made 14 saves in the first two games, more than any other goalkeeper.

If they win they will progress to the next phase of the World Cup after failing to do so in the last six. Sweden will surely attack from the first minute which can give Mexico a chance to hit them on the counter. They look confident and ready to build on the wins in the first two matches.

Can they recover?

Going into stoppage time in the game against Germany, the Swedes were with one leg in the knockout phase as it was 1-1 at that time. And then Kroos scored from a free kick in the 95th minute. The Swedish coach called the end of this game the hardest he’s ever had.

Certainly, that was hard on the players too. They have a tough job of picking themselves up to try and beat Mexico. It’s possible especially if the Mexicans play relaxed knowing they only need a draw.

For sure, Coach Andersson will know how to lift his players in training before the game and in the match itself. They have managed to beat Italy in the qualifying playoffs and they need a repeat of the way they played then. The rest is math.

A few interesting facts

• With his goal against South Korea, Javier Hernandez, popularly known as Chicharito, became the all-time top scorer with 50 goals for the Mexican national team.
• In the 2010 World Cup, Hernandez was clocked as the fastest player reaching a speed of 32.15 km/h.
• Mexico has 311 registered football clubs and 17,000 teams.
• Mexico won the 1962 World Cup.
• Sweden was one of the seven countries which founded FIFA in 1904.
• Sweden’s highest achievements in the biggest international football competitions are a gold medal in the 1948 Olympics, a runner-up place in the 1958 World Cup and a 3rd place in the 1992 Euros.

Mexico vs Sweden betting pick

Sweden went from being in the knockout phase for sure to having to scramble in the third game against the first placed Mexico who only need a draw.

Mexico are huge favorites to make it three out of three. But anything is possible in the World Cup. If Sweden win and Germany beats South Korea, then Mexico would again crash out of the competition. However, that is unlikely to happen. But, since Mexico have never won three games in a row in the World Cup. a draw might be an interesting bet at 23/10.

Pick: Mexico to win

Odds: 4/6