Pachuca CF
- Pachuca CF have dominated Santos Laguna in Liga MX in recent seasons, although the visitors won the most recent clash 1-0 in the 2025 Apertura.
- In general, this is a clash of direct, high-energy football tactics with Pachuca operating a 4-2-3-1 that involves coordinated pressing and a direct, high-tempo style that exploits wide areas and switches the play quickly from defence to attack.
- The hosts will not have manager Esteban Solari on the sidelines as he is suspended after being red-carded during Pachuca’s 2-1 victory at Cruz Azul.
- The assistant coach will take charge on the sideline, and midfielder Christian Rivera also misses out through suspension.
Santos Laguna
Santos Laguna , on the other hand, like to go vertical and stretch the field with fullbacks and wingers.
Head-to-Head
Pachuca CF have dominated Santos Laguna in Liga MX in recent seasons, although the visitors won the most recent clash 1-0 in the 2025 Apertura.
Key Players
- Salomón Rondón has been Pachuca’s main goal threat during this Clausura campaign and his clinical finishing and hold-up play have been a major reason why Pachuca have jumped into the top four in the last few weeks.
- Pachuca’s other main attacking threat is Kenedy, who plays off the left-wing and has the ability to explode into the defence in transition.
- Oussama Idrissi and Víctor Guzmán are the creative engines that make Pachuca tick and their ability to put their forwards into positions where they can score is key to Pachuca’s current run of form.
- Eduardo Aguirre is probably the only constant attacking outlet for Santos Laguna and he has provided some positive moments of his own for his struggling team.
Betting Insights
- Santos Laguna are propping up the Clausura 2026 standings with nine points and a -16 goal difference from 13 games.
- They have conceded 31 goals and scored only 15, so have a big task to climb out of the relegation zone.
- Interim boss Omar Tapia replaced Francisco Rodríguez after he was dismissed mid-season and has made an attempt to steady the ship, but the results have been mixed at best - two wins, a draw and two defeats in the last five.
- Carlos Acevedo will be vital between the posts for Santos this weekend, trying to keep the pace of Pachuca’s attack at bay.
- Pachuca’s home form has been excellent this campaign and they haven’t lost at Estadio Hidalgo.
- The home-field advantage of the altitude is a boost to their cause and their long unbeaten record there makes them clear favorites at 1.4 here.
Prediction
However, 6.75 is much too long for Santos Laguna to win and I’ll take the Over 2.5 goals option at 1.44 for the Pachuca attack to have their way with a team in a losing position and desperate for a win.
