Predicted lineups, stats and where to watch as the Three Lions look to oust their World Cup partners
England will have to overcome an in-form team, as well as a changing climate, and the results of playing at a higher altitude if they are to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel’s side will face tournament hosts Mexico on Sunday night at the famous Azteca Stadium, located at over 7,000ft above sea level.
It’s a scary contrast for the home team, where they have a record of 70 wins from 89 games, with 17 draws and only two defeats.
Playing at a higher altitude makes the air thinner, allowing players to absorb less oxygen from the blood.
“Maximum aerobic capacity at this type of elevation tends to decrease by around 10%, and that affects performance,” Dr Barney Wainwright, senior researcher at Leeds Beckett University, told the BBC.
“Generally there will be a 15-20% increase in fatigue. For the distance you can reach, we can expect it to decrease by 5-10%.
“Athletes will produce lactate very quickly, which creates acid in the muscles which causes fatigue and slows them down.
“The high speed of running will not be interrupted, but the players will have to wait for a while to recover from each game and go again.
“We need oxygen in the brain to see and make decisions, especially at times of the game when the players are working hard, that can affect important decisions.”
Altitude can also affect sleep, as can hundreds of Mexicans with fireworks, as seen before the round of 32 match against Ecuador.
England had hoped to keep the location of the hotel a secret but the location was soon leaked, leading to fears that the Three Lions team might be targeted.
The weather is another factor that England cannot control, although that is the same for both sides.
Thunderstorms are expected in the area on Sunday night, prompting reports that FIFA will stage the first game. The game was finally confirmed at 6 pm local time, although there are many chances of it being delayed.
The extra odds in this match will be much less if England are in good form, but they look disjointed so far.
After spending 45 minutes against Croatia in their first match, Tuchel failed to find a good match in the team’s draw with Ghana and wins against Panama and DR Congo.
On the other hand, Mexico was flying.
Javier Aguirre’s have won all four games and are yet to concede.
Striker Raul Jimenez said: “We are completely focused and united. That feeling of togetherness and family spirit drives us to great things. We still have one more game to play here in Mexico. And we are fully aware of what is at stake.
“We will do our best and continue to give the fans something to shout about. We have a strong side, and there has been real harmony since Vasco [Aguirre] he managed. The sky is the limit.”
Mexico v England team news
Mexico has nothing new to worry about and Aguirre can name an unchanged team.
England midfielder Declan Rice is expected to be fit despite an ongoing hamstring problem. Djed Spence is likely to continue at right back in the absence of Reece James. Tuchel may recall wingers Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon.
