Apertura MX 2024: Matchday 14 Betting Favorites

We’ve reached matchday 14 of Mexican football. Only one team is directly qualified for the playoffs, but many are close to achieving the first goal.

Cruz Azul has been the best team in the tournament and secured its place in the next phase. Now, they want to finish at the top and will play as judges for Pumas, who have yet to secure their qualification.

Toluca is second and very close to qualifying, as they visit Necaxa, who are still fighting for a play-in spot but are running out of chances.Tigres, on the other hand, need a win against a disappointing Pachuca to stay in the group of top teams.

Finally, the match ofthe weekend will be América vs. Monterrey, with both teams obligated to win if they don’t want to face trouble in the upcoming weeks.

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Apertura MX Matchday 14: Pumas vs. Cruz Azul

It’s been a very good tournament for Pumas, likely exceeding expectations. They are in fourth place with 24 points and are on a six-game unbeaten streak, with four wins and two draws, both of which were away against teams ranked above them: Toluca (1-1) and Monterrey (0-0).

They have one of the best defenses (11 goals conceded), but their attack isn’t as strong (18 goals). At home, they have five wins and one loss.

Cruz Azul is having a dream season with 11 wins, one draw, and only one loss. They are in first place with 34 points and are the first team to secure direct qualification to the playoffs. They will aim to keep the top spot to gain the home advantage in every series and are on a five-game winning streak, the latest being a 4-0 victory over Juárez.

They boast the best attack (32 goals) and the best defense (9 goals conceded). A true Máquina.

Pumas vs. Cruz Azul Betting Pick: Draw

Apertura MX Matchday 14: Tigres vs. Pachuca

Tigres is in fifth place with 24 points. However, Chivas, in seventh and currently in the play-in zone, has 21 points, so a loss could push them out of the group that directly advances to the next phase. They’ve suffered two consecutive losses, the last being a surprising 2-0 against Mazatlán, although both were away games.

At home, they are undefeated, with four wins and two draws. Their 17 goals scored are the lowest among the top eight teams.

Pachuca has been a disappointment this tournament, and it’s almost impossible for them to make it into the play-in zone. They have ten points after two wins, four draws, and seven losses, with 12 goals scored and 22 conceded.

They’ve managed only one point out of the last 12, which came from their recent 1-1 draw with Santos, the worst team in the tournament.

Tigres vs. Pachuca Betting Pick: Tigres

Apertura MX Matchday 14: Necaxa vs. Toluca

Necaxa had been getting good results, but it has entered a winless streak that has distanced it from the play-in spots. With 13 points, they are in 11th place, five points behind America. They’ve suffered three consecutive losses and have gone six matches without a win.

Their main issue has been their offense, as they lack a top scorer: no player has scored more than three goals. Theyhaven’t beaten the Diablos Rojos since 2020.

Toluca, on the other hand, is close to securing a direct playoff spot. With 28 points, they are second in the tournament and recently crushed Puebla 5-0, with a brace from Paulinho, who is the league’s top scorer with ten goals. The Portuguese striker scored five goals in the last four matches and made two assists.

Necaxa vs. Toluca Betting Pick: Toluca

Apertura MX Matchday 14: América vs. Monterrey

The matchday will close with the main event. América has had a poor tournament and is fighting to defend its crown. They are in 10th place, the last spot that grants access to the Play-In, with 18 points after five wins, three draws, and five losses. They are coming off a draw with Tijuana and are on a three-game unbeaten streak, with a win at home and two away ties.

Monterrey is one of the clubs whose performance has dropped significantly in recent weeks. Although they only have one loss in their last five games, they drew three of them, winning only the derby against Tigres.

They are in third place with 25 points but have played one more game than the others. So, if they don’t win, their position could be at risk.

América vs. Monterrey Betting Pick: Draw