Steve Davies
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Mexico is one of three countries at this World Cup who is yet to score a goal – do it again and they’re on the next flight out of Qatar. El Tri need a win and some help from the game between Poland and Argentina to be able to progress to round two, something they have almost always done in the past. The Saudis, though, will be tough opponents, having already defied the odds to beat Argentina.
It’s going down to the wire for Mexico and we’ve picked out a Saudi Arabia vs Mexico Same Game Parlay, which is available at +366 odds with FanDuel Sportsbook.
Be sure to check out the rest of our World Cup soccer predictions and remember to gamble responsibly.
Saudi Arabia over 2.5 cards (-108)
Mexico under 5.5 corners (-132)
Alexis Vega to have 1 or more shots on target (-300)
Same Game Parlay odds: +366
Let’s check out the reasoning behind each of our selections.
Saudi Arabia over 2.5 cards (-108)
Saudi Arabia has been seriously competitive in both of their Group C games against Argentina and Poland, and isn’t afraid to put in some tackles. That comes at a price, of course — the price being 8 yellow cards in total.
Now they have something to cling on to as a 0-0 draw – or indeed any draw – could well be enough to get them into the knockout stages for the first time. The tackles have been flying from Herve Renard’s team with 21 fouls committed against Argentina and 15 against Poland, and if English referee Michael Oliver is as strict as he was in his first game between Japan and Costa Rica (6 yellow cards, 3 for each side) then the card count will rise.
Mexico under 5.5 corners (-132)
Mexico averages 4 corners per game so far, so the case for them clearing 5.5 against Saudi Arabia isn’t an easy one to make.
Clearly bettors might want to factor in the stakes, the likelihood of Tata Martino’s Mexicans having to chase the game, and chances being created, corners being won. But let’s not also forget it’s hot out there and this is their 3rd game in 8 days, so there is no logical or obvious reason to expect the corner count to suddenly go through the roof.
Alexis Vega to have 1 or more shots on target (-300)
There haven’t been too many bright spots in Mexico’s Group C campaign thus far but Alexis Vega has looked lively in an attack that has otherwise looked ever so blunt.
The post-mortem into Martino’s squad has already started in earnest in Mexico City but no one is questioning Vega’s inclusion. The Guadalajara striker had scored in his last 3 internationals going into the finals and has unloaded 7 shots in 2 matches, way more than any of his teammates.
Vega takes free-kicks, finds pockets of space and will try his luck so looks highly likely to fire in at least 1 shot on target.
Make sure you check out the rest of our World Cup predictions for the upcoming games
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