Mexico vs England: Key Raul Jimenez stat makes him favourite to score in Azteca World Cup eliminator

Mexico made their way into the last 16 by beating Ecuador 2-0, marking their fourth consecutive clean sheet at the World Cup. It represented their first knockout win since beating Bulgaria in the round of 16 in 1986.

El Tri will make their way to the legendary Azteca – a venue where they have lost once twice in 89 competitive fixtures – to face an England side that has bitter memories here.

It is the same venue where Diego Maradona netted the ‘goal of the century’ along with his infamous ‘hand of god’ in a 2-1 victory for Argentina against England in 1986. 40 years later, the Three Lions' wounds still feel fresh.

England made it through with a 2-1 win over DR Congo in the previous round. They are now unbeaten in six straight games.

Mexico, priced at 23/20 (2.15) with Betway, are underdogs to qualify on their own turf. Thomas Tuchel’s England are favourites to qualify at 4/6 (1.66), but predicting a Draw in normal time at 21/10 (3.10) carries the most value.

The two sides have meet each other four times before, with England winning each fixture, including overcoming Mexico 2-0 enroute to lifting their first and only World Cup in 1966.

Jimenez with the psychological edge

Raul Jimenez is Mexico’s main marksman. The Mexican has a very significant statistic in his favour, one that provides a psychological edge over England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

The two player are no strangers to one another, facing each other 12 times in eight years over the course of their respective Premier League careers.

Along the way, Jimenez has registered six goals against the shot-stopper – averaging a goal every two games. The forward has scored more Premier League goals against Pickford than against any other keeper in the English top-flight.

His run came with spells at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham, while Pickford was the man between the sticks at Everton.

Jimenez's EPL goal record against Pickford:

• Wolves 2-2 Everton – August 2018
• Everton 1-3 Wolves – February 2019
• Everton 3-2 Wolves – September 2019
• Wolves 3-0 Everton – July 2020
• Wolves 2-1 Everton – November 2021
• Fulham 1-3 Everton – May 2025

Jimenez already has two goals to his name at the World Cup – one against South Africa on the opening day before his remarkable finish that sealed the win over Ecuador last time out.

Jimenez to find the net anytime as a goalscorer at 11/5 (3.20) carries immense value. Another route is to back him to score or assist anytime at 13/8 (2.62). Both are significant.

The 35-year-old has capped 129 times for El Tri, racking up 47 goals in the process.

Mexico vs England: Historic Azteca clash on the cards

Mexico and England are set to treat the Azteca crowd to a thrilling round of 16 encounter.

For England, this is will be their biggest test so far, at an altitude of 7,220 feet above sea level – the highest venue at this World Cup.

For Mexico, their future lies outside of Mexico if they qualify for the next knockout stage. The Azteca will witness its final World Cup 2026 game. Considering the 80,000+ fans backing El Tri, expect Mexico to score the first goal at 13/10 (2.30).

The iconic venue is bound to deliver another spectacle. Backing Over 2.5 total goals at 13/10 (2.30) is worth a punt as well, along with BTTS – Yes at 1/1 (2.00).

The winner of this clash will play either Brazil or Norway in Miami on July 11.