Seattle Sounders vs. Cruz Azul Preview and Betting Odds

The CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 kicks off with an exciting international clash between Seattle Sounders and Cruz Azul.

Seattle Sounders advanced to this stage after eliminating Antigua GFC from Guatemala with a 6-2 aggregate score, winning both matches 3-1.

Meanwhile, Cruz Azul dominated Real Hope from Haiti with a 7-0 aggregate victory.

Seattle Sounders vs. Cruz Azul Betting Odds and Info

Por que apostar no Seattle Sounders?

Seattle Sounders is one of the top contenders not only for the MLS title but also for the CONCACAF Champions Cup, and now they face their first major challenge.

In the first round, they had no trouble eliminating Antigua GFC from Guatemala, winning 3-1 away and repeating the same score at home. Argentine Pedro de la Vega was the standout player, scoring three goals, while Paul Arriola, one of the team’s new signings, added two more.

However, their performance in the MLS hasn’t been as strong. They drew 2-2 at home against Charlotte FC in their opening match, with Jordan Morris scoring a brace, and last weekend, they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Real Salt Lake.

Besides the key players mentioned, Jesús Ferreira, Albert Rusnak, and Stefan Frei also stand out in the squad.

It’s worth noting that Seattle Sounders were champions of this tournament in 2022, eliminating Club León in the quarterfinals and defeating Pumas in the final.

Por que apostar no Cruz Azul?

Cruz Azul boasts one of the strongest squads in the tournament, but their performances haven’t quite lived up to expectations—neither in the Champions Cup nor in Liga MX.

In the first round, they had no trouble crushing Real Hope from Haiti, winning 2-0 away in the Dominican Republic and then 5-0 at home in Mexico City, but despite the result, a better style of play was expected against a much inferior team.

In the league, they are on a three-game unbeaten streak, though their two wins were narrow 1-0 victories against weaker sides like Santos and Querétaro, followed by a 1-1 draw with Mazatlán in their most recent match.

The ‘Máquina’ has key players with the national team and European football experience, such as Giorgos Giakoumakis, Luka Romero, and Mateusz Bogusz. The Polish forward, who arrived from Los Angeles FC, scored the goal against Mazatlán, marking his first for the club.

However, despite having these stars and many other talented Latin American players, the team’s performance has been far from the expected level. Additionally, they suffered a major setback when head coach Martín Anselmi left for Porto.

Ángel Sepúlveda leads the team in scoring, with three goals in the Champions Cup and two in Liga MX.

Cruz Azul is the second-most successful club in the tournament’s history, with six titles, just one behind Club América. Their last Champions Cup triumph was in 2014, but they have also lost two finals.

Análise Final das Apostas: Seattle Sounders vs. Cruz Azul

It will be a thrilling match between two title contenders. While Cruz Azul has the stronger squad on paper, their current form isn’t at its best, and Seattle’s weather conditions could play a key role in giving the Sounders an edge to secure the win.

The odds at Gambyl Exchange favor Seattle Sounders, with a Moneyline of 2.51, while Cruz Azul stands at 2.67, and a draw is at 3.54.

These two teams last faced each other in the 1996 Copa dos Campeões da Concacaf, where Cruz Azul demolished Seattle Sounders 11-0 in the final phase, claiming the title in that game. Carlos Hermosillo and Julio Yegros both scored hat-tricks in that historic match.

Go for a straight win for Seattle Sounders in the Moneyline. If you bet $100 at 2.51, you will gain $151 for a total payout of $251.

Seattle Sounders vs. Cruz Azul Betting Pick: Seattle Sounders