Pumas UNAM vs CF Cruz Azul Prediction & Picks - Liga MX
Mexico - Liga MX
New customers only | Commercial content | 21+ age limit | T&Cs apply
by Carlos Zabala | in Liga MX Picks
This Liga MX, modified and rushed due to the upcoming World Cup, has nonetheless delivered an electrifying playoff, and the final between Pumas and Cruz Azul is proving to be just as thrilling, a match dubbed the "Clásico of Obsession." The first leg of the final ended 0-0 despite Cruz Azul's superiority, but the result is clearly more beneficial for the Pumas, and the university fans want their first league title since 2011 more than ever.
The first leg was definitely a tactical duel, in which Juárez strategically positioned Pumas to repel Cruz Azul's relentless attacks, so much so that at times Pumas even fielded six defenders. Even so, to maintain the 0-0 scoreline, the legendary goalkeeper Keylor Navas had to rise to the occasion, making four crucial saves. However, it's clear that Pumas will adopt a more offensive approach at their home stadium, where they won 7 of 9 matches in the regular season, though one of those was a 2-2 draw against Cruz Azul.
Pumas fans are hopeful about the draw, because a significant statistic is that Cruz Azul has played in three Liga MX finals in recent history, drawing the first leg and ultimately failing to lift the trophy.
Limited Offer. Currently at FanDuel
Pumas UNAM vs CF Cruz Azul Form
Pumas UNAM and CF Cruz Azul Latest Matches
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 21, 2026 - Liga MX
May 17, 2026 - Liga MX
May 14, 2026 - Liga MX
May 10, 2026 - Liga MX
May 3, 2026 - Liga MX
Apr 25, 2026 - Liga MX
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 17, 2026 - Liga MX
May 10, 2026 - Liga MX
Apr 21, 2026 - Liga MX
Apr 12, 2026 - Liga MX
Mar 21, 2026 - Liga MX
Mar 14, 2026 - Liga MX
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 21, 2026 - Liga MX
May 14, 2026 - Liga MX
May 3, 2026 - Liga MX
Apr 25, 2026 - Liga MX
Apr 17, 2026 - Liga MX
Apr 5, 2026 - Liga MX
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 21, 2026 - Liga MX
May 16, 2026 - Liga MX
May 13, 2026 - Liga MX
May 9, 2026 - Liga MX
May 2, 2026 - Liga MX
Apr 26, 2026 - Liga MX
2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 21, 2026 - Liga MX
May 13, 2026 - Liga MX
May 9, 2026 - Liga MX
Apr 26, 2026 - Liga MX
Apr 18, 2026 - Liga MX
Apr 14, 2026 - Concachampions
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 16, 2026 - Liga MX
May 2, 2026 - Liga MX
Apr 21, 2026 - Liga MX
Apr 11, 2026 - Liga MX
Apr 7, 2026 - Concachampions
Mar 20, 2026 - Liga MX
Pumas UNAM against CF Cruz Azul : Head to Head (H2H)
17 %
50 %
33 %
Average stats (last H2H results)
May 21, 2026 - Liga MX
Mar 14, 2026 - Liga MX
Nov 8, 2025 - Liga MX
Apr 5, 2025 - Liga MX
Oct 26, 2024 - Liga MX
May 12, 2024 - Liga MX
Pumas UNAM against CF Cruz Azul Lineups: Starting 11
Formation : 3 - 1 - 4 - 2
Formation : 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Substitutes
P. Lara
DefenderT. Leone
J. Rivas
P. Bennevendo
A. Azuaje
MidfielderS. Trigos Nava
D. Ramirez
U. Rivas
A. Rico
C. Garza
A. Gudino
DefenderJ. Orozco
J. Rodarte Barragan
C. Jimenez
A. Montano
A. Castro
ForwardN. Ibanez
G. Fernandez
L. Romero
A. Morales Rosas
Missing players
G. Martinez
J. Macias
E. Lira
Most goals and assists
Pumas UNAM
CF Cruz Azul
R. Morales
(9 Goals)
J. Paradela
(7 Goals)
A. Medina
(4 Assists)
, 
Juninho
(4 Assists)
J. Paradela
(5 Assists)
Pumas UNAM - CF Cruz Azul Key Points
- Pumas generated only an xG of 0.15 in the first leg of the final against Cruz Azul
- The first leg of the final only saw 5 shots on target
- Cruz Azul made 40 touches in the opposing penalty area in the match against Pumas
- Cruz Azul last won Liga MX in 2021
Limited Offer. Currently at FanDuel
Our Pumas UNAM vs CF Cruz Azul Prediction
Although Cruz Azul appeared to be the better team of the two, Pumas offered little to nothing in attack; the truth is, the 0-0 final score in the second leg felt like a victory for the university team. Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Navas has taken on a leadership role; regarding the second leg, he said, "We're going all out; we'll go out to win the game."
However, putting the sensationalism aside, a significant fact is that Cruz Azul hasn't lost at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario since 2021; this gives Efraín Juárez's team complete confidence. It's worth betting on how the final has unfolded so far; there will likely be few scoring opportunities in the second leg as well, and the more clinical team will lift the trophy.
Our prediction for Pumas vs Cruz Azul is: Under 2.5 goals.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
