Preview: América vs. Pachuca · prediction, team news, line-ups

Table-topping Club America, on 27 points from 12 games, host Pachuca at the Estadio Banorte on Sunday 25 October, with kick-off at 7.05pm Mexico City time, in Matchday 14 of the Apertura 2026.

The visitors sit 16th of 18 on 13 points and are winless in their last five league games.

Match preview

America arrive as leaders with 27 points, a goal difference of +16 and a game in hand on the rest of the division. It has been the best spell of the campaign for Guillermo Almada's side.

The Eagles won 5-2 at Atlas on 22 October and 5-3 at Leon on 18 October. That is ten goals in two matches, following a 1-1 home draw with Monterrey on 11 October.

At the Estadio Banorte they have won three and drawn two from five, with no defeats, scoring 11 and conceding only three. Their away form is strong too, with five wins, one draw and one loss from seven.

Henry Martin leads the scoring with seven goals. Brian Rodriguez and M. Borja have five apiece, so the output is well spread.

Pachuca are in poor form. They lost 2-1 at home to Cruz Azul on 22 October and 2-1 at Monterrey on 19 October. Before that, they drew 3-3 with Necaxa, lost 1-0 to Santos Laguna and drew 2-2 with Tijuana.

With three wins, four draws and six defeats, the Tuzos are 16th. They have not won in six home games, with three draws, three defeats, ten goals scored and 13 conceded.

On the road their numbers are sturdier, with three wins, one draw and three losses from seven and only five goals conceded. Salomon Rondon is their reference point with 13 goals.

The recent head-to-head favours America. Of the last five meetings, the Eagles have won two, two were drawn and Pachuca won one. The latest was a 0-0 draw in January 2026.

America won 2-0 at home in August 2025 and in May 2025. Pachuca were the last side to win this fixture, claiming a 1-0 victory in April 2025.

The context matters. America want to protect top spot as the regular season closes, while Pachuca need points to stay in the Liguilla race.

Team news

America have one confirmed absentee, as Raphael Veiga is due to have shoulder surgery and is unlikely to return to Mexico. Alejandro Zendejas, Dagoberto Espinoza and Ramon Juarez are doubts.

Zendejas went off injured in the last game after scoring and awaits medical tests. Juarez missed the previous two matches. If they are unavailable, Almada could turn to Kevin Alvarez, Cristian Borja and Oscar Perea, as some published XIs suggest.

Pachuca have no reported injuries or suspensions. The probable XIs agree on Carlos Moreno, Eduardo Bauermann, Francisco Venegas, Christian Rivera, Alan Bautista, Nicolas Vallejo, Oussama Idrissi and Rondon, and differ on the rest of the back four and Rondon's strike partner.