Football Bet of the Day: Old boy Jimenez to net his first World Cup goal

Good morning/day to you all. Thursday marks the beginning of the FIFA World Cup and we have an interesting contest to get it started. In a coincidental nod to the 2010 edition, we have the same two teams feature in this year's opener as co-hosts Mexico and South Africa meet in Mexico City (1pm local/8pm BST, ITV1).

I feel as though I had to pick this game for my Football Bet of the Day because this is where the eyes of the world are going to be fixated. Check out my selection below as I bid to start the World Cup with success.

Mexico vs South Africa Odds

Mexico are on a three-game winning streak, and with the home advantage they are deemed the 2/5 favourites to come out on top.

The draw is on offer at 16/5, with South Africa drawing two of their previous four fixtures. This was also the outcome when the sides opened the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg.

Bafana Bafana are a 15/2 shot to come away with the three points.

But for my bet of the day, I'm seeking value in the goalscorer market. Thursday is a momentous occasion for Mexico as it marks 40 years since they sole hosted the 1986 tournament.

There's sure to be a special atmosphere inside the Azteca, which I believe can aid the players out on the pitch. In this case, I'm hoping for it to impact Raul Jimenez, El Tri's veteran striker who's appearing in his fourth and maybe final World Cup.

The 35-year-old is yet to score on this stage in six appearances, so I sense there will be a determination to find the net here, especially in a tournament that will resonate more with him than any other.

The veteran has just departed Fulham after three years and he has been convinced to rejoin Wolves in the Championship, joining Kieran Trippier through the door at Molineux.

The centre-forward scored 31 goals in 115 appearances across three seasons with Fulham, bagging nine in his last Premier League campaign. Jimenez also contributed three goals for Mexico in their 2025 Gold Cup success, including goals in the semi-final and final.

I think he'll get the moment that he's waited a long time for on Thursday.

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