The Liga MX can’t stay stale for too long, as we now head into the beginning of the Apertura 2024. The teams are ready to head back in and try to fight to be the top in this new run!
The table is clean again, so we can only wonder if what the clubs have done this offseason will be enough to change their luck for the better or, on the contrary, will take them to the bottom of the table.
For this new season, Cruz Azul will be hosting their first match. The team is eager to pick up the pace and do better than their 16th place in the previous season.
Pachuca comes in as the visitors. After being the dominant force of Mexican soccer in recent times, the departure of Ibanez a year ago was deemed too much, and they fell out of the postseason entirely in the Apertura.
When:
Saturday, January 13th, 8:00 pm ET at the Estadio Azteca
Moneyline odds:
Cruz Azul 2.15
Pachuca 3.15
Draw Offs:
3.62
Where Can I Watch?
Why Bet on Cruz Azul?
As said before, the team from the Mexican capital, one of the most lauded in the country, had a terrible semester last year. In general, since they broke the ‘curse’ in 2021, the team has been in a limbo of poor results and irregularity, which saw them concede seven to América not long ago, in one of the most painful days for the fans of ‘La Maquina’ in recent memories.
At least this time, the directive has shown the willingness to change the direction of the team and brought in an interesting name for the DT position, Martín Anselmi. The Argentine was the head of one of the best projects in the American continent as of late, Independiente del Valle. They also brought in several players like Gonzalo Piovi, Kevin Mier, Gabriel Fernández, Miguel Jiménez, Lorenzo Faravelli, and Camilo Cándido.
If this will be enough to change the face of the team quickly, it is hard to know, but it would be a lie to say that it is not exciting.
Why Bet on Pachuca?
The ‘Tuzos’ were one of the disappointments from last season, although it’s hard to say that their performance wasn’t to be expected. From that club that became the terror of Mexico thanks to its physical game, little is left, as the team was dismantled by the teams with the most resources. The saddest case was that of the Argentine Ibanez, who went from being the best number nine in the league to a bench warmer at Tigres.
The team fell from the playoff spots on the last matchday of the regular season and, like Cruz Azul, brought in several reinforcements to change the course. The most important one is that of the Venezuelan Salomon Rondon.
The forward comes from having discrete seasons in its last teams, but many Mexican fans should have in their memories the doings of Giancarlo Maldonado, a great Vinotinto attacker who had its best years in Liga MX.
Final Betting Analysis: Cruz Azul vs. Pachuca
Cruz Azul is one of the teams that generates the most expectations this semester. Martín Anselmi’s team will face a reinforced side of the ‘Tuzos.’
Even though there are high expectations for both of these teams in the new season, we do not expect them to get 3 points just yet, as we believe we will have a low-scoring draw here.
Going back to their previous faceoffs, Pachuca usually takes the wins, but we are simply not expecting them to be ready to win here as they will be adjusting to the new team. However, we do expect them to put a lot of pressure as they try to get their win.
Go for a draw at 3.62. If you bet $100 at such odds, you could get $262.00 for a total payout of $362.00.