Cruz Azul
- Cruz Azul are tied for 2nd in the Liga MX Clausura with 28 points.
- Nicolás Larcamón has made his mark on Cruz Azul with his aggressive pressing game and patient build-up play which seeks to overburden the opposition’s midfield zones and break their lines with precise passes and runs.
- The home side are very active in the offensive third with Gabriel Fernández, Cruz Azul’s top goal scorer in all competitions and a constant threat in the penalty box.
- Cruz Azul have lost some of their momentum after a 1-1 away draw with América, followed by a 3-0 defeat to LAFC in the Champions Cup, a home loss to Pachuca and a run of league draws in March.
- Midfielder José Paradela has found the net in a few key matches for Cruz Azul and is among the club’s leading league scorers this spring.
Tijuana
- Tijuana are 10 points below Cruz Azul in mid-table with 18 points.
- Tijuana are in a battle for their lives to stay in the playoff race with 18 points, 10 behind Cruz Azul, who they will be looking to overtake if they can claim a win in this encounter.
- Tijuana’s coach Sebastián ‘El Loco’ Abreu has brought an energetic and pragmatic brand of football to the club which is based on transitions, compact defending and a disciplined low block.
- On the break, Kevin Castañeda is the main outlet, leading the line with 7 league goals, while Gilberto Mora’s return from injury boosts Tijuana’s midfield dynamism.
Head-to-Head
The two sides have split their last 5 meetings in all tournaments with Cruz Azul having a slight edge and recent clashes including three separate 3-0 scorelines, suggesting that this encounter could go either way if one side seizes the initiative early.
Cruz Azul
- The home side are very active in the offensive third with Gabriel Fernández, Cruz Azul’s top goal scorer in all competitions and a constant threat in the penalty box.
- Midfielder José Paradela has found the net in a few key matches for Cruz Azul and is among the club’s leading league scorers this spring.
Tijuana
On the break, Kevin Castañeda is the main outlet, leading the line with 7 league goals , while Gilberto Mora ’s return from injury boosts Tijuana’s midfield dynamism.
Betting Insights
- Cruz Azul are clear favorites with the bookies and the match result market does not appear to have value.
- The bookies have made Cruz Azul 1.4 favorites with Tijuana listed as 6.75 long shots and the draw at 4.85, which appears to be of no value.
- The market for over 2.5 goals is heavily favored and the expectation is for an intense game with lapses in defense.
- A Cruz Azul win would put them well inside the Liguilla spots, whereas Tijuana really need the points to remain in contention as the final few games of the regular season approach.
Prediction
A home win for Cruz Azul looks likely here, but we will take Tijuana on the double chance bet given that they can punish the home team on the counter and that they have some physicality and directness up front with Shamar Nicholson and Adonis Preciado .
