Mexico vs Saudi Arabia Tips, Predictions and Bet Builder

Mexico have progressed to the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup without really hitting their stride, topping Group A thanks to wins over the Dominican Republic and Suriname, setting them up for a clash Saudi Arabia in Arizona.

The Saudis are using this tournament as a build-up towards next summer's World Cup and they had an early test against the USA in Group D, losing 1-0 to the tournament co-hosts.

A victory over Haiti and a draw against Trinidad and Tobago helped them into the knockouts.

Mexico vs Saudi Arabia Tips Summary

Market	Tip	Odds
Match Result	Mexico	12/25
Best Bet	Mexico to win to nil	1/1
Bet Builder	Mexico to win, Under 3 goals, Mexico to win most corners	10/3

Key Match Stats

• Mexico have kept back-to-back clean sheets ahead of this clash

• Saudi Arabia are missing their highest-active scorer, Salem Al-Dawsari

• The Saudis have scored only seven times in their last 10 World Cup qualifiers

• Mexico kept a clean sheet in every knockout game on their way to winning the 2023 title

• Mexico have conceded only 1.36 xG across their first three games

Mexico vs Saudi Arabia Prediction

Best Bet: Mexico to win to nil @ 1/1

Mexico may not have hit top gear just yet, but they remain an impressive defensive unit.

The team won the 2023 Gold Cup thanks to three wins to nil in the knockout rounds, while they've recorded consecutive clean sheets going into this clash with Saudi Arabia.

While the Dominican Republic scored twice against them in their tournament opener, underlying numbers suggest Mexico remain quite solid. They've conceded a total of 1.36 xG at the tournament, with the Dominicans scoring twice from 0.74 xG.

Saudi Arabia have lost key attacking players thanks to their participation in the Club World Cup, but goals have been an issue for them for a while.

They have scored only seven times across their 10 games in AFC World Cup qualifying, so another win to nil for Mexico holds plenty of appeal. 

Aaron Rogan explains:

Despite a strong frontline, Mexico are grinding out wins. Saudi Arabia scored only twice in the group stage and the step up in class awaiting them in the next round suggests their blunt attack will struggle.

Mexico vs Saudi Arabia Bet Builder Tip

• Mexico to win

• Under 3 goals

• Mexico to win most corners

  Pays 10/3

Mexico are good value for victory after seven wins from 10, while the Saudis were beaten 1-0 in the group stage by the USA.

The AFC side should struggle to create chances, but they'll be hoping to frustrate this Mexican side for long spells. 

El Tri are backed to win the corner count, something Saudi Arabia have failed to do in all three of their matches at the tournament. That includes conceding 11 corners against Haiti.

Mexico had 13 corners across their three group games, conceding eight in return.

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Aaron Rogan adds:

This isn't expected to be a classic, but Mexico can hold their own in a low-scoring game. Back under 2.5 goals here, along with Mexico dominating in the corner count.

Read more football betting tips and predictions on site.

Tactics, Form and Team News

The defending champions have to deal with Cesar Montes' suspension here, which could see West Ham's Edson Alvarez drop into the back four to add a little experience. 

Cruz Azul's Erik Lira is expected to step into the side as a holding midfielder, while El Tri should move AC Milan forward Santiago Gimenez back into the starting line-up alongside Fulham's Raul Jimenez. 

Expected Mexico line-up (4-4-2): Malagon, Reyes, Alvarez, Vasquez, Gallardo; Alvarado, Ruiz, Lira, Vega; Gimenez, Jimenez.

The Saudis are missing Al Hilhal pair Nasser and Salem Al-Dawsari due to the Club World Cup, so this is a more inexperienced squad at Herve Renard’s disposal. 

Renard paired Saleh Al-Shehri with Firas Al-Buraikan in their last game, with the pair accounting for 27 of the 36 international goals scored by this squad. Expect the pair to feature once again. 

Expected Saudi Arabia line-up (4-3-3): Alaqidi, Abdulhamid, Al Amri, Madu, Boushail; Al-Hassan, Al-Johnai, Al-Aboud; Al-Shehri, Yahya, Al-Buraikan.

View the full market and more odds for Mexico vs Saudi Arabia on site.

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.