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Pumas UNAM will welcome league leaders Cruz Azul to the Estadio Olímpico Universitario in the Liga MX Apertura on Saturday. Pumas are in fourth place in the league table with 24 points. The visitors are in pole position, with a 10-point lead over Pumas.
The hosts are unbeaten in their last six league outings, keeping five clean sheets. After a 3-0 home win over Atletico San Luis last week, they were held to a goalless draw by Monterrey on Wednesday.
The visitors extended their winning streak in the league to five games on Wednesday with a 4-0 win over Juarez. Ángel Sepúlveda, who came off the bench in the 22nd minute, bagged a brace while Luis Romo has two assists to his name.
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Pumas UNAM vs Cruz Azul Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two Mexico City-based teams have a long-standing rivalry and have met 145 times in all competitions. The league leaders have the upper hand in these meetings with 62 wins. Pumas have 41 wins and 42 games have ended in draws.
- The visitors are unbeaten in their last three games in this fixture, with two ending in draws. They have scored two goals apiece in two games while keeping two clean sheets.
- The visitors have the best goalscoring record in the league, scoring 32 goals in 13 games, 12 more than Pumas.
- Pumas UNAM are on a three-game winning streak at home in the Liga MX, scoring five goals while keeping clean sheets.
- Cruz Azul have won five of their six away games in the league this season, scoring 15 goals in these games.
- The visitors are unbeaten in their last three away meetings against Pumas, recording two wins and scoring two goals each in these wins.
Pumas UNAM vs Cruz Azul Prediction
Universitarios are on a six-game unbeaten streak in Liga MX, keeping five clean sheets, and will look to continue that form here. They have won just one of their last seven meetings against the visitors and will look to improve upon that record.
Giorgos Giakoumakis was injured last week and is likely to be rested here. Martin Anselmi is likely to field a strong starting XI in this crucial match.
La Máquina head into the match on a five-game winning streak, scoring 14 goals, and are strong favorites. They have scored 15 goals in six away games this season and will look to continue their prolific run here.
While both teams head into the match in good form, considering the league leaders' better goalscoring form and recent record in this fixture, La Máquina are expected to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Pumas UNAM 1-2 Cruz Azul
Pumas UNAM vs Cruz Azul Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Cruz Azul to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Carlos Rotondi to score or assist any time - Yes
