England vs Mexico Preview: England Set For Biggest Test Yet

After narrowly managing to overcome the DR Congo, through two wonderfully taken goals from Harry Kane, England are now set to face their biggest test of the tournament yet.

Midweek's fixture wasn't exactly the convincing performance fans have been looking for, following a mildly shaky finish to the group stage, with Thomas Tuchel's side once again finding themselves struggling to break down a low block, which has begun to become a running theme at this tournament so far.

England will likely be met by a similar opposition approach for their early morning clash with Mexico, except this time they will be walking into a colosseum of noise in a stadium that holds some miserable memories for the Three Lions.  

The Azteca Awaits

A lot has been made of the potential impact that having to play at the world-renowned Estadio Azteca may have on England, with there being a number of differing factors to help prove this theory.

Mexico's record when playing in the Azteca is most definitely something to behold, having only lost two of their last 89 matches at the stadium, which they will be looking to further extend.

Arguably, one of the most important factors that has contributed to this intimidating record is the altitude at which the stadium is located. With the pitch being a staggering 2240 metres above sea level, due to the thinner air and reduced oxygen, this can cause major negative effects on players' recovery and cause them to tire quicker.

Although technically both teams will experience the same conditions, due to Mexico playing their last two games at the Azteca, the players will have already acclimatised to the elevated conditions, whereas England will have no time to fully acclimatise to the same level as the Mexican team, already leaving them at a disadvantage.

And of course, it would be impossible not to mention the atmosphere, with this being a home fixture for El Tri, England will have to be prepared to face the most hostile atmosphere imaginable and must be able to cope if they are to have any hope of making it through to the quarter-finals. 

Team News

Having missed both of England's last two games now through a hamstring injury, it's now said that Reece James appears to be on the mend, after initial fears that the right back's tournament may have already been over.

However, it is unlikely he will be fit to start in time for the Three Lions' upcoming clash, with Djed Spence likely to retain his spot in the starting XI.

Jarell Quansah is also set to remain on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury against Panama, whilst Arsenal's Bukayo Saka is also still said not to be at 100%, which may tempt Thomas Tuchel into starting with his club teammate Noni Madueke on the right once again, whilst still maintaining the option to bring on Saka later in the game if required.

As for Mexico, Javier Aguirre will have the freedom to pick any team he pleases, with the squad not currently nursing any injuries, and is expected to opt for the same team that was able to topple Ecuador last time round.

Prediction: Mexico 0-2 England

Although a lot has been made of the conditions and atmosphere Thomas Tuchel's side are set to face as they travel to the Azteca for the first time since the infamous 'Hand of God' moment from Diego Maradona, England will still likely be too much for Mexico.

With the gulf in quality being so vast between the two sides, whilst England's talisman Harry Kane appears to be hitting top form following his match-winning brace against DR Congo, it feels as though England are growing more into the tournament as it goes on.

Albeit it won't be a walkover by any stretch, and we should still expect to see similar issues as before from the Three Lions, England should be able to get the job done and march on to the quarter-finals for the next step on the journey for their second star.