Verdict: Belgium win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to lay down another pre-World Cup marker in the early hours of Wednesday, Belgium will travel to Chicago when they meet Mexico.

Mexico

Starting with Mexico, while El Tricolor might have had a real battle on their hands over the weekend as they welcomed European giants Portugal to the Estadio Azteca, Javier Aguirre’s side will take plenty of positives away from a gritty performance on home soil. Despite facing what will certainly be another stern examination when they travel to Chicago in the early hours of Wednesday, the Greens are more than capable of causing some headaches. Getting the New Year underway with consecutive 1-0 victories against Panama and Bolivia, Mexico have also gained a recent reputation for their defensive grit. Including a sensational 4-0 romp against Iceland on February 26th, Aguirre’s squad have recorded four consecutive clean sheets. Likewise, El Tricolor have shipped just a single strike in over 600 minutes of action.

Mexico Team News

Undergoing ankle surgery last month, Mexico are unable to call upon skipper Edson Alvarez and the West Ham loanee faces a real race against the clock to play any part this summer. In what was a real shock omission, former Napoli star Hirving Lozano has been publicly snubbed by Aguirre.

Although Fulham striker Raul Jimenez might be forced to settle for a spot on the bench here, the veteran marksman should earn a record-breaking 122nd international cap in Atlanta.

Belgium

As for Belgium, while Rudi Garcia’s camp might have endured a public Nations League nightmare as they only just clung to their elite status, the Red Devils have come roaring back in an eye-catching fashion. Getting the New Year underway with a dominant second-half display over the weekend as they eventually stormed their way to an emetic 5-2 victory against the United States, the former Napoli boss should find the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Signing off 2025 with a routine 7-0 romp against Liechtenstein, Belgium are unbeaten in all of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions (seven wins, three draws). Gaining a fearsome reputation for their clinical performances in the final third, Garcia’s superstar squad will be looking to make another pre-World Cup statement in Atlanta.

Belgium Team News

While Romelu Lukaku might have recently returned from a long-term hamstring injury, the Napoli marksman has not been included in Garcia’s squad. However, Napoli teammate and former Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne has been handed an immediate return and looks set to earn a 116th international cap here.

Finding the net during Belgium’s dominant 5-2 victory against the United States over the weekend and recording a fifth international strike, Atalanta star Charles De Ketelaere could once again be deployed in a false nine role.

Mexico vs Belgium Key Factors to Consider

• When Mexico and Belgium last met for a friendly showdown back in November 2017, Wednesday’s opponents played out a thrilling 3-3 stalemate in Brussels.
• The Red Devils are unbeaten in all of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions (seven wins, three draws).
• Mexico have recorded four consecutive clean sheets on either side of opening the New Year.
• Likewise, El Tricolor have shipped just a single strike in over 600 minutes of action.
• Belgium have registered at least a quartet of goals in six of their previous eight appearances across all competitions.

Conclusion

While Mexico might have put in another rugged performance over the weekend as they snatched a 0-0 stalemate against Portugal, El Tricolor will be bracing themselves for another heavyweight challenge here. Watching Belgium storm past the United States on Saturday as they stormed their way to a 5-2 romp in Atlanta, the Red Devils have continued to shine on either side of opening the New Year. Unbeaten in all of their last 10 appearances across all competitions, we are backing Belgium to extend on their clinical purple patch.

Verdict: Belgium win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet