Portugal face Mexico in Gelsenkirchen safe in the knowledge that they have already ensured a place in the knockout stages, but knowing that they must avoid defeat to top Group D.

In contrast, Mexico need a point to secure a spot in the last 16, although the result will be rendered almost irrelevant if Angola fail to beat Iran.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's Portugal side have looked far from their fluent best in their two victories, but have yet to concede a goal in seeing off Angola and Iran and clinching a place in the knockout stages for the first time since 1966.

Scolari is cautious about his side's long-term prospects, saying: "It's only the second time Portugal has qualified for the second round in 40 years, but we have to look at it game by game.

"Against Mexico we can be calmer, we can rest some players and then we'll have to see what happens in the last 16."

Scolari has no major injury worries, but may opt to rest midfielders Costinha and Deco and strikers Cristiano Ronaldo and Pauleta, as they all have a booking to their name.

Mexico coach Ricardo La Volpe is in the tricky position of knowing that a draw will be good enough for his side to progress, but knowing that finishing second in the group is likely to mean a last 16 meeting with Argentina.

He is robbed of the services of star striker Jared Borgetti, who is still struggling with a calf injury.

However, La Volpe is confident that his side will turn in a good performance on Wednesday, saying: "I would be worried if I had seen the team playing badly.

"I see devotion in my players during the 90 minutes of every match, so I am not worried at all about our chances."