Preview: Querétaro vs. Cruz Azul · prediction, team news, line-ups

Querétaro host Cruz Azul at Estadio La Corregidora on Sunday 25 October, with kick-off at 19:00 (Mexico City time), in Matchday 14 of the Liga MX Apertura 2026.

The Gallos Blancos are eighth on 20 points from 12 games. La Máquina sit third on 23 points from 13.

Match preview

Querétaro are in a poor run just as the Liguilla race tightens. They lost 2-1 at Atlético San Luis on 21 October, four days after a 5-0 defeat at Santos Laguna. Those two results have dropped them to eighth.

Before that, the Gallos had won 2-0 at home to Atlante and 2-0 away to Chivas. They had drawn 1-1 with León on 21 September.

At La Corregidora they have won two, drawn one and lost two of their five games, scoring seven and conceding six. They have not been dominant in front of their own fans. Their away form is stronger, with four wins from seven.

Ali Ávila and Santiago Homenchenko share the team lead with five goals each. Homenchenko is ruled out, which is a serious blow at a difficult moment.

Cruz Azul arrive on a run of two straight league wins. They thrashed FC Juárez 5-0 on 18 October and won 2-1 at Pachuca on 22 October, with Gabriel Fernández and Andrés Montaño on the scoresheet.

Before that, they drew 3-3 with both Pumas and Toluca. The attack is productive, but the defence has wobbled and conceded three in each of those games.

On the road, La Máquina have won three, drawn one and lost two of six, scoring 12 and conceding 10. Fernández has five goals this term and Nicolás Ibáñez has four.

The head-to-head favours the visitors. Cruz Azul are unbeaten in the last five league meetings, winning 3-1 in February 2024, 2-0 in August 2024 and 1-0 in February 2025. They then drew 2-2 in September 2025 and 1-1 on 22 April 2026.

Three points separate the sides. Querétaro are fighting to stay inside the Liguilla places, while Cruz Azul want to remain among the top three as the regular season heads into its final stretch.

Team news

Querétaro will be without Santiago Homenchenko, who fractured his right hand against Santos Laguna and is to have surgery. Érik Dueñas is out with a knee problem and Álex Alcalá with a muscle injury. Paulo Victor also features as an absentee in some reports.

There is good news for the hosts, as Diego Reyes returns after serving his one-match suspension.

Cruz Azul remain without Mateo Levy, Amaury Morales and Cristian Jiménez, who are out for the rest of the season. José Paradela, Willer Ditta and Ralph Orquin missed the trip to Pachuca and look set to be absent again. Carlos Rotondi is available once more.

Joel Huiqui is unlikely to change the XI that won at the Hidalgo, with Andrés Gudiño in goal and Agustín Palavecino as the number 10.