Group A concludes on Wednesday as Mexico meet Czech Republic at the iconic Azteca Stadium, a venue where El Tri have won a record six World Cup matches and are chasing a seventh.
A perfect start featuring 2-0 and 1-0 wins over South Africa and South Korea means they can afford to relax, but head coach Javier Aguirre will be wary of losing momentum heading into the World Cup last 32.
His side have kept clean sheets in eight of their last 10 matches, so have the ability to shut this game down if they so wish.
Czech Republic, however, arrive with the frustrating feeling that they have not produced anything like their best football yet.
Miroslav Koubek's team were edged out 2-1 by South Korea on matchday one and then conceded a late penalty in a 1-1 draw with Bafana Bafana.
With the Czechs needing a win and Mexico potentially rotating, this could be a cagey, low‑scoring Group A contest.
Czech Republic v Mexico Tips Summary
Best Bet - Draw @ 14/5
Alternative Bet - Half-time result - Mexico @ 6/4
Bet Builder - Under 3 goals, Most corners: Czech Republic & Jaroslav Zeleny 1+ fouls won @ 5/1
Czech Republic v Mexico Prediction
Best Bet: Draw @ 14/5
Mexico's qualification is already secured, and that changes the dynamic of this match entirely. Aguirre has hinted at rotation and has given his squad extra time off this week.
So, with an all-important knockout match against a third-place finisher looming, it would be no surprise to see key players rested.
That opens the door for the Czechs, who have been competitive in both matches but lacked the finishing touch.
They were seconds away from beating South Africa before conceding a late penalty and they had a great chance to equalise after relinquishing the lead to South Korea in their opener.
However, this is a team that has consistently failed to convince during qualifying, losing to the Faroe Islands and requiring penalties twice to sneak into the finals via the play-offs.
Mexico's defensive structure makes them extremely difficult to break down and they will build a wall in front of their goal even with a rotated XI.
Aguirre's team have conceded only two goals in their last 10 international and not lost on home soil since 2018.
With El Tri unlikely to overcommit while the Czech Republic struggle to manage games and convert chances, a draw feels the most logical outcome.
Alternative Bet: Half-time result - Mexico @ 6/4
Mexico have been able to establish first-half leads in five of their last six matches, which may be a trend they can continue against the Czechs.
Aguirre's side made a fast start in their last match at Estadio Azteca when Julian Quinones rifled them ahead against South Africa after just nine minutes.
They could catch their opponents cold again on Wednesday after being inspired by another rendition of their national anthem.
Unlike Mexico, Koubek's side have not kept a clean sheet in their last six games and look vulnerable to balls played behind their backline.
But they do seem to have a great team spirit and a never-say-die attitude which brought them important levellers in both of their play-off games earlier this year.
Mexico may be able to get their noses in front before the break again before the Czech Republic click into gear.
Czech Republic v Mexico Bet Builder
Under 3 goals
Most corners: Czech Republic
Jaroslav Zeleny 1+ fouls won
Pays 5/1
Eight of Mexico's last 10 matches have featured fewer than three goals, and with no real incentive for them to open the game up here, this one should be limited to only a handful of clear opportunities.
The Czech side have aerial ability in abundance and will attempt to use their height advantage on set pieces whenever they can.
It stands to reason that they will try to get the ball out wide and win corners more often than Mexico, who have earned only three across their two group matches so far.
Jaroslav Zeleny, who has won at least one foul in five of his last eight competitive internationals, is a worthwhile addition to the Bet Builder to win one more in a match Mexico will try to shut down from the start.
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Key Match Stats
Mexico have won seven and drawn five of their last 12 matches at Estadio Azteca
They have lost only two official internationals at the iconic Mexico City venue, the last in 2013
Mexico have kept eight clean sheets in their last 10 matches
Czech Republic have seen both teams score in their last six fixtures
Mexico earned zero corners in their win over South Korea and only three against South Africa
Czechia have earned five corners in both of their Group A matches
Mexico are chasing a record-extending seventh World Cup win at the Azteca
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
