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Cruz Azul will welcome Mazatlan FC to the iconic Estadio Azteca on Tuesday for a matchday one clash in the Liga MX.
The hosts come into the game on the back of a 2-1 victory over Club Leon in the Campeone de Campeones last week. Jonathan Rodriguez scored a second-half brace to help La Máquina attain victory.
Mazatlan have not been in action since they rounded up the last campaign with a narrow 1-0 loss to Monterrey on the final day of the season. Vincent Janssen scored the game-winning goal in the 16th minute.
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Cruz Azul are defending champions of the league and will be looking to successfully retain their crown.
Mazatlan participated in their first-ever season of competitive football last year, having only been founded in 2017. They ended the season in a respectable 13th position.
Cruz Azul vs Mazatlan Head-to-Head
Cruz Azul won both legs of their fixtures last season with an aggregate 4-2 victory. A 4-3 comeback victory was registered away from home in September 2020, while Roberto Alverdo scored the match winner in a 1-0 victory in March 2021.
Cruz Azul are currently on a seven-game unbeaten run that stretches back to last season.
Cruz Azul form guide: W-W
Mazatlan form guide: N/A (first game of the season)
Cruz Azul vs Mazatlan Team News
Cruz Azul
Goalkeeper Jesus Corona is sidelined with a fractured toe. Midfielder Yoshimar Yotun will be suspended for the double booking he received against Club Leon.
Injury: Jesus Corona
Suspension: Yoshimar Yotun
Mazatlan
There are no suspensions or injury worries for the visitors.
Injuries: None
Suspension: None
Cruz Azul vs Mazatlan Predicted XI
Cruz Azul Predicted XI (4-4-2): Andres Portillo (GK); Ignacio Rivera, Julio Dominguez, Pablo Aguilar, Juan Escobar; Rafael Baca, Jonathan Rodriguez, Guillermo Fernandez, Walter Montoya; Bryan Angulo, Lucas Passerini
Mazatlan Predicted XI (4-5-1): Nicolas Vikonis (GK); Jorge Padilla, Carlos Vargas, Ygor Nogueira, Bryan Colula; Lorenzo Reyes, Roberto Meraz, Ulises Cardona, Giovanni Augusto, Jorge Zarate; Michael Rangel
Cruz Azul vs Mazatlan Prediction
Cruz Azul are one of the heavyweights in Mexican football and the capital side will be looking to kickstart their title defense on a winning note.
Mazatlan have shown their ability to spring surprises if underrated but the hosts should have too much firepower for them. We are predicting a comfortable victory for Juan Reynoso's side.
Prediction: Cruz Azul 2-0 Mazatlan
