The Liga MX has an interesting calendar, with many matches being rescheduled. However, going into matchday five, most of the teams have four games, and that’s the case of Tigres and Pumas, two clubs struggling to be at the top of the table.
The ‘Universitarios’ are involved in the triple tie for the first place but appear in third due to their goal difference. The last time, they drew 1-1 with Queretaro.
The team from the capital has been inconsistent but is still at the top. In their previous match, they got a draw with Necaxa in an exciting and battling game.
When and where?
Saturday, February 3rd, 8:05 pm ET at the Estadio Universitario de Monterrey
Moneyline odds:
Draw Offs:
Where Can I Watch?
Why bet on Tigres?
The Regiomontanos have been one of the best teams in the Liga MX recently, reaching two finals in 2023 and winning one. This season, they started at full pace with three wins in a row but crashed with a defensive wall against Queretaro the last time.
The White Roosters situated deep with a defensive four where the contentions went back and, at times, formed a line of seven. With just 29% of possession, they managed to keep Tigres at bay for most of the game and even did damage with a Pizarro’s goal (against). However, Ozziel Herrera appeared inside the final quarter of an hour to seal the tie. Martín Rio saw a red card, but it was too late to influence the game in any meaningful way.
Now, they must seek the three points again to keep things tight at the top.
Why bet on Pumas?
The Club Universidad Nacional has been struggling to maintain pace, interchanging wins with a loss and a draw. However, the important thing is that the difficult period between 2021 and 2023 is over. At the time, they were a lower mid-table side, to the point that they failed to reach the postseason two semesters in a row, something that had not happened in many years.
They look much better now but have been an inconsistent team for most of the last decade. In this sense, the objective is to put an end to that.
In the last game, they came with high spirits after a good win against Pachuca. However, they crashed to the surprising Necaxa, who has shown great resilience to evade defeats, even in the hardest circumstances. Between minutes forty and sixty of regular time, there were four goals, where the felines gave a hit, and the ‘Electricos’ responded quickly. Later, the only relevant occurrence was the expulsion of Cortés, but the visitors held to the tie.
Now, Pumas faces its biggest challenge of the season and needs to keep the pace to not fall behind in the table.
Final Betting Analysis: Tigres vs. Pumas
This feline classic has occurred fifty-four times in history, with the Regios having the upper hand at twenty-four wins. Pumas accumulated fifteen victories, while the same number of games ended in a draw. In the last eight matches, there’s a solitary triumph by Pumas, although most of the duels ended in draws, including the previous one in the Apertura MX 2023.
The team from Mexico City is still finding its way this season, while Tigres is much more consolidated and has several tools to hurt the rival. That includes midfielder Juan Brunetta, the best signing of the season so far. We’ll go for a 2-1 win for the locals.
Go for a victory for Tigres at 1.66. If you bet $100 at such odds, you could get $66 for a total payout of $166.