DC United vs Pumas UNAM Prediction & Betting Tips - Leagues Cup

Prediction published on 28/07/2023, 18:55  by Joseph King | Modified on 29/07/2023 at 13:00 in Football Predictions

The final match of Group M in the Leagues Cup sees leaders DC United taking on third-place Pumas UNAM. The MLS club secured a 1-0 away win in the first matchday over Montreal which has guaranteed them a spot in the knockout stages. They’ll of course want to top the group, which they can do by avoiding defeat to their opponents in this fixture. On the other side Pumas sit bottom of the standings with one point, trailing second-place Montreal who sit on two points and leaders DC United on three points. Pumas have to win to advance, either in the 90 minute regulation time (three points awarded) or through a penalty shootout victory should the match end in a draw (two points awarded). 

Pumas UNAM have struggled mightily since their second-place finish in the 2020/21 Apertura season. Since then, their best league finish has been 11th in six campaigns and they have an average finishing position of 13th-place during that stretch. Pumas have started out their season fairly positively with a win and two draws in three Liga MX fixtures. Despite losing on penalties, they did manage a 2-2 draw with Montreal after regulation time. This has Pumas on a four match unbeaten run to start the new season, although three of those games have finished in stalemates.

DC United have experienced an up-and-down season in the 2023 MLS campaign. Wayne Rooney’s side are battling for a playoff spot as they currently hold the ninth-place position in the East with eight wins, six draws and 10 defeats. The Black and Red performed excellently to claim the three points in their Leagues Cup opener. They’ll now look to make it back-to-back wins for the first time since April. DC United are on a two match unbeaten run at Audi Field where they have scored a total of five goals and conceded two.