Pumas UNAM welcome Leon to Estadio Olimpico Universitario for their opening game of the Liga MX campaign on Sunday. The hosts are coming off a 1-0 defeat to Detroit in a pre-season friendly a fortnight ago.
Somalia international Abdi Salim's 54th-minute strike proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Leon, meanwhile, saw off Irapuato with a 3-0 victory in a friendly. Ettson Ayon scored a brace while Jonathan Reyes wrapped up proceedings in the 84th minute. Daniel Hernandez and Said Castaneda were sent off for their respective sides late in the game.
Los Panzas Verdes will turn their attention to competitive action and will be looking to do better than their campaign last term which saw them finish 11th with 24 points to their name. UNAM ended the Liga MX Apertura in eighth spot on 27 points.
Pumas vs Leon Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- UNAM Pumas have 16 wins from the last 40 head-to-head games. Club Leon were victorious on 17 occasions while seven games have ended in stalemates.
- Their most recent clash came in April 2024 when UNAM claimed a 1-0 home win.
- Five of the last six head-to-head games have seen both sides find the back of the net.
- Leon's last four league games have produced less than three goals.
- Five of UNAM's last seven home games have seen at least one side keep a clean sheet.
- Four of Leon's last five away games saw goals at both ends.
- UNAM have lost just one of the last five head-to-head games they have hosted (three wins).
Pumas vs Leon Prediction
Pumas UNAM played two pre-season friendlies, claiming a comfortable 3-1 win over Vanados before their loss to Detroit. They will be confident of claiming maximum points here, having won the last three head-to-head games played at this ground.
Leon, for their part, ended last season with just one loss from their last six away games (three wins). They enter this game as underdogs and their final games of last season tended to be low-scoring.
This being the first game of the new season for both sides means they might take some time to get going. We are backing the hosts to claim a narrow win with goals at both ends.
Prediction: Pumas 2-1 Leon
Pumas vs Leon Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Pumas to win
Tip 2 - Both teams to score
Tip 3 - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 4 - Highest scoring half: Second half