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Both Mexico and South Korea are aiming to build on winning starts as they meet in Guadalajara for their World Cup Group A clash on Friday morning.
Co-hosts Mexico were victorious 2-0 over South Africa in the opening match of the World Cup, in a game which saw three red cards shared out.
Meanwhile, South Korea came from behind to beat Czechia 2-1 in their first game, meaning both teams are on three points heading into this one.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Mexico vs. South Korea key stats
- Mexico are on a four-game winning streak in all competitions.
- South Korea have also won their previous three matches.
- Mexico are unbeaten in the last four H2Hs (W3, D1), with the previous meeting coming in September.
Mexico vs. South Korea preview: El Tri to take another three points?
| Mexico | vs | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | FIFA Ranking | 25 |
| Guillermo Ochoa (152) | Most Caps | Son Heung-min (145) |
| Raul Jimenez (46) | Most Goals | Son Heung-min (56) |
| 1231 | Total Caps | 974 |
| 119 | Total Goals | 145 |
| 0 | Uncapped Players | 0 |
Mexico got off to the perfect start in front of their home fans with a 2-0 win against South Africa, and being higher-ranked than South Korea in the FIFA world rankings, will be favourites to get another victory here on home soil.
The only dampener from the game was the late sending off of Cesar Montes, but Javier Aguirre will still be able to field a strong XI.
El Tri have now won their last four games in all competitions, and are unbeaten in the previous four H2Hs, with the last a 2-2 draw in a friendly in September.
Nonetheless, another win here would book their place in the knockouts, and having reached the quarter-finals on the two previous occasions they were hosts, Mexico's confidence would be sky-high.
South Korea will be tricky opponents though after beating Czechia in their opener, and they are only ranked 11 places below Mexico in the FIFA rankings.
Hwang In-beom was the star of the show with a goal and an assist, while captain and top scorer in the squad Son Heung-min was lively despite missing a handful of chances.
Hong Myung-bo knows it will be a tough task on away soil though, especially considering they have never beaten CONCACAF opposition in a World Cup (D1, L2).
There are also fitness concerns over Kim Tae-hyeon, but the Taegeuk Warriors should still be able to field a strong XI.
Mexico vs. South Korea form guide & betting tips
| Mexico | vs | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
DWWWW |
Form | LLWWW |
| 11 | Goals For | 8 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 6 |
W |
World Cup 2026 | W |
Whispers predicts: Mexico 2-1 South Korea
Mexico are favourites for victory and considering their superior form and home advantage, we are willing to back Mexico to win at 21/20 (2.05).
South Korea are dangerous though and with the last three H2Hs seeing both teams score, BTTS – Yes at 1/1 (2.00) could also hold value.
Our final bet focuses on Raul Jimenez, who has scored in each of his previous two appearances against South Korea, and also netted against South Africa last time out.
Jimenez to score anytime at 11/5 (3.20) therefore could be worth a punt.
Overall, we are backing Mexico to win 2-1, which is available at 17/2 (9.50).
> BTTS – Yes at 1/1 (2.00) | Likelihood: Probable
> Mexico to win at 21/20 (2.05) | Likelihood: Possible
> Jimenez to score anytime at 11/5 (3.20) | Likelihood: Outsider