Preview: Pachuca vs. Cruz Azul · prediction, team news, line-ups
Pachuca host Cruz Azul at Estadio Hidalgo on Wednesday 21 October, with kick-off at 9pm Mexico City time, in Matchday 13 of the Liga MX Apertura.
The Tuzos sit 14th on 13 points. La Máquina are fifth on 20, seven points better off.
Match preview
Pachuca have endured an inconsistent campaign. They have 13 points from 12 games, a goal difference of +3 and sit 14th in the 18-team table.
The Tuzos are yet to win at home this Apertura. They have drawn three and lost two of their five games at the Hidalgo, scoring nine and conceding 11. Their away record is better, with three wins, one draw and three defeats from seven, scoring 10 and conceding five.
Recent form is mixed. Pachuca lost 2-1 at Monterrey on 19 October, drew 3-3 with Necaxa, lost 1-0 to Santos Laguna, drew 2-2 with Tijuana and beat Atlante 3-0. That is one win, two draws and two defeats, with nine goals scored and eight conceded.
Salomon Rondon has 13 goals and remains the main attacking reference. The side have scored three times in two of their last five matches.
Cruz Azul arrive in fifth with 20 points and a goal difference of +6. They thrashed FC Juarez 5-0 on 18 October, with goals from Andres Montano, Carlos Rodriguez, Omar Campos, Agustin Palavecino and Rogelio Gonzalez.
Before that, La Máquina drew 3-3 with Pumas and 3-3 with Toluca, and lost 1-0 to Monterrey. They also drew 0-0 with Club America in a friendly on 2 October. They have conceded seven goals in their last four league games.
Away from home, Cruz Azul have won two, drawn one and lost two of five, scoring 10 and conceding nine. Ibanez and Fernandez lead their scoring charts with four goals each.
The recent head-to-head favours the visitors. Cruz Azul have won three of the last five league meetings and Pachuca two. La Máquina won 1-0 at the Hidalgo in September 2025 and 4-2 there in September 2024. The most recent clash, on 5 April 2026, ended 2-1 to the Tuzos.
The context matters. This is a double matchday with five rounds left. Pachuca need points to stay in the Liguilla race, while Cruz Azul want to consolidate a place among the leaders.
CF Pachuca · recent results
- LMonterrey 2-1 CF Pachuca
- DCF Pachuca 3-3 Necaxa
- LSantos Laguna 1-0 CF Pachuca
- DCF Pachuca 2-2 Club Tijuana
- WAtlante FC 0-3 CF Pachuca
Cruz Azul · recent results
- WCruz Azul 5-0 FC Juarez
- DU.N.A.M. - Pumas 3-3 Cruz Azul
- DClub America 0-0 Cruz Azul
- DCruz Azul 3-3 Toluca
- LMonterrey 1-0 Cruz Azul
Key stats
Trends · last 5 matches
Team news
Pachuca will be without centre-back Sergio Barreto, who is suspended after picking up a fifth yellow card. He had played all 12 games this tournament. Full-back Francisco Venegas returns from suspension. Alexei Dominguez, Robert Kenedy and Andres Arroyo remain injured.
Claro Sports projects Carlos Moreno in goal, Eduardo Bauermann and Carlos Sanchez at centre-back, and Rodolfo Pizarro alongside Rondon in attack.
Cruz Azul have several doubts. Willer Ditta missed the Juarez game with a knock and remains under evaluation. Jose Paradela is still being managed because of a physical issue. Rodolfo Rotondi could return.
Ralph Orquin will not be available. Amaury Morales, Mateo Levy and Cristian Jimenez continue to recover from more serious injuries. Joel Huiqui must decide whether to keep the heroes of the thrashing or restore returning players to the XI.
Pachuca have not won at home this term and are missing a key defender. Cruz Azul have also been leaky, shipping seven in their last four league games, so we expect an open contest. Rondon should find the net, but La Máquina carry more weight in the table and more attacking depth, and can edge it.
Match odds
+18
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