Chivas Guadalajara vs CF Pachuca Odds: Hosts Expected to Play Offensive Football

• Chivas Guadalajara were thumped 4-0 by their arch-rivals Club America in their previous league match this past weekend
•  CF Pachuca returned to winning ways after clinching all three points against Santos Laguna in a narrow five-goal thriller
•  When these two clubs met in the 2023 Clausura season at the Estadio Hidalgo, the game ended in a 1-1 draw 

Chivas Guadalajara vs CF Pachuca 

Odds taken from Betway. 

Chivas Guadalajara vs CF Pachuca Pick

• Our Pick: Chivas Guadalajara to win. 

Chivas Guadalajara vs CF Pachuca Prediction 

Chivas Guadalajara will be the favorites to win the contest against C.F. Pachuca as both clubs look to improve their positions in the Liga MX Apertura points table.  

However, Guadalajara will have their task cut out in search of a win as they went down 2-1 against Monterrey in their last home clash. The Veljko Paunovic-managed club featured in their more-suited 4-2-3-1 formation. 

The match was evenly poised but the visitors edged out through goals from Sergio Canales who completed a brace in the first half, including a goal from the spot. Mexican forward Ricardo Marin cut short the deficit with a 66th-minute goal but the hosts failed to find an equalizer in the remainder of the match.  

Pachuca will look to make amends in multiple areas after it was exposed in their 5-0 loss to Deportivo Toluca in the last away fixture. The visitors were outplayed by Toluca as they controlled the majority of possession. 

Shot-stopper Tiago Volpi opened the scoring for the hosts from the spot while Maximiliano Araujo added a second to allow Toluca to take a 2-0 lead in the first half. The hosts imposed more misery on the opponents through a goal from Juan Domingez and a brace from Pedro Raul in the second half.  

It is likely that Guadalajara will win the clash against Pachuca by a comfortable margin at home and deny them an opportunity to close in on the last playoff spot. 

Previous Meetings

Chivas Guadalajara and Pachuca have shared a rich rivalry in Liga MX. Out of a total of 26 meetings, the two clubs have faced off 23 times in Liga MX. The clubs have dished out nine draws since then, making the rivalry even more interesting. But Pachuca has maintained the upper hand with nine wins while Guadalajara has clinched five victories.  

In their previous meeting that took place in July this year, Guadalajara’s caretaker manager Ricardo Cadena opted for a 5-3-2 formation while Pachuca coach Guillermo Almada went in with a 4-2-3-1 combination.  

Guadalajara was playing at home and edged ahead to control the possession. However, Pachuca displayed their resilience in the second half after their Colombian defender Oscar Murillo was sent off in the 42nd minute. Both clubs had four shots each on target but failed to find the back of the net as the match ended in a goalless draw.  

The 12-time champions will be looking to hold their fortress in the upcoming clash as they have maintained a good record at home. The club has won three out of their last four home matches while one ended in a draw. However, their next opponent Pachuca, has registered a tumultuous run in their previous four away fixtures and remains in search of a win. The club has registered two draws and as many losses in their last four matches. 

Chivas Guadalajara on Downward Slope After Leagues Cup

Chivas Guadalajara has been on a downward slope in the domestic league after their 2023 Leagues Cup exit. However, it will be an opportunity for the hosts to get their performance on track against an underperforming Pachuca side.  

The club returned to Liga MX Apertura with a 1-1 draw against Juarez and later secured a 1-0 win over a 10-man Club Tijuana. 

However, since then, the club has dropped points with a couple of narrow defeats against Santos Laguna and CF Monterrey, and a 4-0 rout against Club America. Their last win after the Leagues Cup was at home where they secured a 2-0 win over Leon. 

The Hosts Are Expected to Play Offensive Football

After securing a top-four finish in the Liga MX Clausura and qualifying for the Liguilla, Paunovic has put some arguments to bed after he was largely criticized for lacking knowledge of Mexican football. Even though the club is currently placed in the sixth spot of Liga MX Apertura, they have a chance to make it to the top five with more consistent performance. 

Paunovic’s style suits Guadalajara as he brings an attacking philosophy to the club. It is expected that the hosts will play offensive football in the upcoming clash, with a direct style of play. The defenders will look to find their target man, up front, with long passes into the central area. 

The direct play allows Guadalajara to move forward without the typical transition from a congested midfield. Notably, the coach has instructed his players to attack from the central area of the pitch, causing overload around his target man. 

Guadalajara Will Rely on Key Duo 

Graduated from the youth club, Mexican attacking winger Yael Padilla, has proven himself to be a handful this season in the senior team. He has netted twice in eight appearances for Guadalajara. 

In the forward line, Roberto Alvardo will be expected to find the back of the net after scoring twice in five appearances this season. Left-back Cristian Calderon will look to continue playing influential roles in setting up goals as he has already assisted three times in six appearances. 

CF Pachuca’s Flop Show After Leagues Cup

CF Pachuca have not been at their best and will look to overcome their poor show in the domestic league. Following their Round of 32 exit in the Leagues Cup, Pachuca has managed to win only two matches out of their last five outings.  

The 2022 Apertura champions returned to the domestic league with a 1-1 draw to Queretaro before registering a slender 1-0 win over Cruz Azul. Later, the club registered a 0-2 loss to San Luis before a heavy 5-0 thrashing against Toluca.  

However, in their last match, the club clinched a slender 3-2 over a 10-man Santos Laguna side. The Almada-managed club displayed resilience to find the back of the net thrice out of their six shots on target despite not having the majority of possession. 

The Visitors Need to Make Their Attacks Count 

CF Pachuca has one of the most lethal attacking sides that was on show in the Liga MX Clausura 2023. The club, boasting of the most fearsome attack, scored 14 goals in the first six rounds. However, they are still to return to their best in the Liga MX Apertura.   

Their coach Almada, dubbed as ‘Uruguayan Pep Guardiola’, by the press in the native country will look for answers in the upcoming clash. Under the 54-year-old, Pachuca has tried to display high-intensity football, with a fluid, attacking style of play. 

New Signing Likely to Make His Debut 

It is likely that Pachuca’s new signing Oussama Idrissi will make his debut for the club in the upcoming clash. The Morocco winger signed a two-year deal with the club after he was available for free transfer after parting ways with Sevilla, earlier this September. 

The right-footed player will be looking to make his impact through the left flank for his new club. If he can make an instant impact, it will boost Pachuca’s charge for playoff qualification.

How to Watch Chivas Guadalajara vs CF Pachuca

• Teams: Chivas Guadalajara vs CF Pachuca
• Location: Akron Stadium
• Time: Saturday, September 23 at 9 pm ET
• How to Watch: Univision, Telemundo, Fox Sports, ESPN, Vix and Sling TV