Saudi Arabia vs Mexico: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head

Both teams head into the final group fixture needing a victory to qualify for the knockouts.

The Group C of the FIFA World Cup 2022 is set for some great matches in the final round of the group stages. Any team can qualify, be it Argentina, Poland, Saudi Arabia or Mexico. As of the current standings, Poland stands first in the table with four points. Argentina and Saudi Arabia are just behind them with three points each. Mexico, on the other hand, have underperformed and are at the bottom with one point.

Nonetheless, Mexico's chances of qualification also rely on the outcome of Argentina vs Poland. Saudi Arabia pulled off the biggest upset in the FIFA World Cup 2022 beating Argentina. However, after that, Saudi Arabia failed to perform consistently, dropping points against Poland.

Kickoff: 12:30 AM (IST), 7:00 PM ( GMT)

Saudi Arabia form (All Comps): W D L W L

Mexico form (All Comps): L W L D L

Players To Watch

Salem Al-Dawsari

The Saudi Arabia winger is receiving lots of fame after scoring the winning goal against Argentina. However, Salem has accomplished much in his career before as well. Salem joined Al Hilal as a youth player. Over the years he managed 207 appearances scoring 47 goals.

Despite managing great stats on the domestic stage, Salem has decent stats at the World Cup as well. The winger started all three of Saudi Arabia's group-stage matches at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Salem also scored the last-minute winner against Egypt in the group stage. If Saudi Arabia vs Mexico needs a match-winning goal, Salem can settle it for his country.

Hirving Lozano

Many states that Lozano has failed to make an impact at Napoli. The Mexican winger has scored 23 goals and has 14 assists in 102 Serie A appearances. Lozano is one of the biggest stars in Mexico alongside Raul Jimenez and Jorge Ochoa. He is one of the starting XI players mainly because of his ability to get past defenders.

Lozano has managed to score 16 goals and has 11 assists in 62 appearances for Mexico. Hirving is yet to show up at the World Cup. The winger has only scored a goal in six appearances for Mexico. In the absence of a crucial goal threat like Jimenez, Lozano needs to show up.

Injury & Team News

Saudi Arabia will look to make some changes in their Midfield. This is because Abdulelah Al-Maiki picked up a second yellow card in Saudi Arabia's defeat against Poland.

Similarly, Mexico have the same problem in midfield. Veteran and crucial midfielder, Andres Guardado was forced off after picking up an injury against Argentina. Ajax's Edson Alvarez can possibly fill Guardado's role.

Head-To-Head Stats

Mexico has dominated Saudi Arabia in the past. The Mexicans have scored five goals against them twice in 1997 and 1999 consecutively.

Played: 5

Saudi Arabia: 0

Drawn: 1

Mexico: 4

Predicted Line-up

Saidi Arabia XI ( 4-3-3): Al-Burayk, Al-Boleahi, Al-Amri, Abdulhamid Al-Najei, Al-Malki, Kanno; Al-Buraikan, Al-Shehiri,Salem Al Dawsari.

Mexico XI (3-5-2) : Ochoa Araujo, Montes, Moreno, K. Alvarez, Chavez, Herrera, Edson Alvarez, Gallardo; Hirving Lozano, Vega

Saudi Arabia vs Mexico Prediction

Mexico has dominated against Saudi Arabia in the past. However they never really show up at the FIFA World Cup. Mexico are winless in their last four World Cup games. Saudi Arabia are looking to qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup for the second time in their history.

Prediction: Saudi Arabia 1-2 Mexico