Mexico vs Poland: FIFA WC 2022 | Preview & prediction | H2H | line-up

Mexico and Poland are up against each other in the group C game of the FIFA World Cup, in Qatar on Tuesday.

Both teams with exciting forwards are sure to be in an intriguing contest at Stadium 974, which is the first temporary venue in World Cup history. With Argentina being clear favorites to secure a place in the knockouts, the battle between Mexico and Poland becomes an intense encounter for a place in the Round of 16. 

Mexico are into its eighth consecutive World Cup finals, having been eliminated at the last 16 stages in each of their last seven appearances. The El Tri under the coach Gerardo Martino has been a success, having guided the side to two Gold Cup finals, and winning on one occasion. Moreover, the World Cup qualifiers qualified on the last match day and finished level on points with Canada, and three points clear of Costa Rica in the playoffs of CONCACAF qualifying.

However, going into this crucial World Cup tie, Mexico crumbled to a 2-1 defeat to Sweden in their last game and will need to get their acts together to face Poland.

On the other hand, in Poland, coach Czeslaw Michniewicz was appointed as head coach earlier this year, as he guided the sie with a 2-1 win over Sweden in the qualifier playoffs to reach Qatar. The Eagles, whose best finish in World Cup history is finishing third in the 1974 and 1982 World Cups, are still eyeing to reach their first-ever knockout rounds since the 1986 Mexico World Cup. Previously, the side have been dumped out in the group stages of 2002, 2006, and 2018 editions. 

Both sides arguably aim to progress into the next round being the second favorites after Argentina in Group C.

Mexico v Poland Head To Head

Both Mexico and Poland have each other eight times in official games registering three wins each. Previously in the last World Cup meeting between the sides, Poland registered a 3-1 win in the 1978 World Cup. 

However, Poland's side led by outrageous striker Robert Lewandowski will be up against Mexico, who knows to keep things tight at the back, having kept eight clean sheets during the CONCACAF qualifying round. 

Since Er Tri's failure to make it into the knockouts, the North American side has qualified in the last eight World Cup finals. Meanwhile, the Eagles, have not made it to the knockout stages since 1986, as they eye a change of fortune this time at Qatar.

Mexico and Poland Team News

Mexico

Coach Gerardo Martino has the huge task of selecting his main striker for the game, as star striker Raul Jimenez, who has so far 29 goals to his name has been out of footballing action since August with his struggle with a groin injury, keeping him out of the Wolverhampton side. The 31-year-old made his first appearance after three months, from the bench in a 2-1 defeat to Sweden. 

Forward Henry Martin is anticipated to lead the attack, meanwhile, winger Jesus Corona has been ruled out of the tournament due to his ankle issue.

Poland

On the other hand, Poland has seen more struggle with injuries as Bartiomej Dragowski, Jacek Goralski, and Adam Buksa have withdrawn from the World Cup squad. Meanwhile, Aston Villa's Matty Cash, who made his international debut a year ago, is receiving treatment for his shoulder issue but is expected to be fit for selection for the game, however, faces stiff competition in the right-wing back position.

Mexico and Poland Predicted lineup

Mexico

Ochoa; Sanchez, Montes, Moreno, Gallardo; Alvarez, Herrera, Guardado; Lozano, Martin, Vega

Poland

Szczesny; Bednarek, Glik, Kiwior; Bereszynski, Krychowiak, Zielinski, Szymanski, Zalewski; Swiderski, Lewandowski

Mexico and Poland, kick-off time, and venue

The Group C match encounters on Tuesday, November 22 will kick off at 9.30 PM IST, 4:00 PM Local Time.

Venue: Stadium 974

Prediction