The Mexican Liga MX returns with a fresh set of fixtures as Cruz Azul and Puebla lock horns at the Estadio Cuauhtemoc on Tuesday. Having secured opening-day wins at the weekend, both sides will look to keep the juggernaut rolling and build strong early-season form.
Cruz Azul continued from where they left off in last season’s Clausura as they kicked off the new Apertura campaign with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Atletico San Luis last Saturday.
Following a goalless first half, Joel Huiqui’s men found themselves two goals down within five minutes of the restart, but Gabriel Fernandez’s 63rd-minute penalty and a late brace from Jeremy Marquez helped them turn the game around in dramatic fashion.
With their opening-day victory, Cruz Azul are now unbeaten in 13 consecutive games in all competitions, a run which saw them clinch the 2025-26 Clausura crown following a 2-1 aggregate win over Pumas UNAM.
Like the home side, Puebla picked up a dream start to the season under new coach Gerardo Espinoza as they held on to see out a 1-0 victory over Juarez in last Saturday’s curtain-raiser.
This was a hugely welcomed result for La Franja, who failed to win any of their final eight matches in the Clausura last season, a run which saw them finish bottom but one in the table.
While Puebla will look to continue from where they left off against Juarez, next up is the stern challenge of an opposing side they have failed to get the better of in their last five attempts, losing four and claiming one draw.
With confidence high following their opening-day results, we expect both sides to have a real go at it in search of consecutive victories.
However, Cruz Azul boast a stronger and more experienced group on paper, and it is hard to see them getting anything other than three points here.
Prediction: Cruz Azul 3-1 Puebla
Tip 1: Result - Cruz Azul to win
Tip 2: First to score - Cruz Azul (The hosts have opened the scoring in their last five games against Puebla)
Tip 3: Over 4.5 cards - Yes (There have also been at least five bookings in five of their most recent seven encounters)
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