Pumas UNAM vs Club Leon Predictions
Pumas UNAM and Club Leon meet at Estadio Olimpico Universitario on Thursday in a rearranged Liga MX contest.
The hosts have struggled to find much form in recent weeks, and they could struggle to break down a solid Leon side.
I have my stake on under 2.5 goals and an away win or draw.
Tight Contest Likely in Mexico City
- Pumas UNAM failed to win their last 6 matches
- Pumas UNAM have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 5 matches
- Pumas UNAM failed to win their last 2 matches against Club Leon
- Club Leon have seen under 2.5 goals in 4 of their last 6 matches against Pumas UNAM
- Club Leon are unbeaten in 9 of their last 10 matches
- Club Leon have seen under 2.5 goals in 4 of their last 5 matches
Pumas Hold Edge in Recent H2H Record
Pumas UNAM and Club Leon have met on 16 occasions since 2020. Pumas won seven of those matches, while Leon claimed four victories. Five matches finished level.
Both of their last two encounters in the past year finished as 1-1 draws.
Pumas Slump to Tijuana Defeat
Pumas return to Liga MX action after a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Tijuana in their most recent fixture at the end of August.
Gilberto Mora converted two second-half penalties for the hosts, while Pablo Bennevendo was sent off shortly after the opening goal.
Esteban Solari's side struggled to create clear chances at Estadio Caliente. Pumas finished the contest with 43% possession and ten shots, while their final xG total of 0.42 was significantly lower than Tijuana's 2.88.
UNAM have struggled to find much form in either the Liga MX or in their recent Leagues Cup participation. Pumas lost three and drew three of six winless games since the start of August.
An average of 1.83 goals per game were scored in those fixtures.
A lack of attacking firepower has been a big issue in the past month. Pumas scored just twice in their winless run, while they remain winless from three home league contests.
The hosts now sit 11th in the Liga MX with eight points from six fixtures completed.
Leon Secure Leagues Cup Third Place
Club Leon make the trip to Mexico City after earning a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Club America in Sunday's Leagues Cup third-place playoff.
Diber Cambindo headed the only goal in a tight contest at Shell Energy Stadium.
America outshot Leon 16-8, but the Green Bellies defended resolutely to secure third place and qualification for the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Javier Gandolfi's side performed well in the Leagues Cup, winning five and losing just one of six matches since the start of August. The highlight of their Stateside campaign was a superb 3-2 victory at Inter Miami.
Leon have also made a solid start to the Apertura, collecting ten points from six fixtures. They sit seventh in the division, after picking up ten points from their last four league contests.
The in-form visitors have won eight and lost only one of ten matches since a narrow defeat at Tijuana in July.
Defensive improvements have seen the visitors keep clean sheets in three of their five most recent fixtures. An average of exactly two goals were scored in those fixtures.
Pumas UNAM vs Club Leon Team News
Pumas UNAM: (4-4-1-1) Keylor Navas; Pablo Monroy, Nathan Silva, Ruben Duarte, Rodrigo Lopez; Uriel Antuna, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Victor Arteaga, Alan Medina; Luciano Herrera; Robert Morales
Pumas boss Solari will be forced into at least one change to his first XI this week. Pablo Bennevendo misses out after his dismissal against Tijuana.
Alvaro Angulo, Sebastian Cordova and Jose Macias are also expected to remain unavailable with various injury issues.
Pablo Monroy could come into the back four, while Robert Morales is likely to lead the attack.
Club Leon: (4-1-4-1) Oscar Garcia; Ivan Moreno, Paul Bellon, Juan Jose Guevara Possu, Salvador Reyes; Jose Rodriguez; Daniel Arcila, Ismael Diaz, Rodrigo Echeverria, Jordi Cortizo; Diber Cambindo
Leon boss Gandolfi could make changes after Sunday's demanding contest in Houston.
Edgar Guerra and Angel Estrada could come into the first XI after both made 45-minute substitute appearances against America.
Cambindo should retain his place after scoring the winner last weekend.