Chivas Guadalajara vs. Pumas UNAM Prediction: Liga MX Showdown at Estadio Akron

• Chivas Guadalajara saw their five-game unbeaten run in the Clausura 2024 season end after a 1-0 loss against Club Necaxa earlier this week 

• Pumas UNAM extended their unbeaten run in the Clausura 2024 season to six games after a convincing 3-0 victory over Santos Laguna last weekend

• These two clubs clashed in the Apertura 2023 playoffs, and Pumas UNAM eliminated Chivas Guadalajara with a 3-1 aggregate win in the quarterfinal

Club America vs. Mazatlan FC Odds

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Chivas Guadalajara vs. Pumas UNAM Pick

• OUR PICK: Pumas UNAM to win.

Chivas Guadalajara vs. Pumas UNAM Predictions

After struggling to find a win in the first three games of the season, Chivas went on a five-game winning run. They beat Toluca, San Luis, and FC Juarez in the league and registered wins in the two-legged CONCACAF Champions Cup encounter against Forge FC. This winning streak ended when Mazatlan held the 12-time Liga MX champions to a 2-2 draw. Chivas were expected to bounce back and win the next game, but they ended up on the wrong side of a 1-0 scoreline against Necaxa earlier this week.

Pumas have their eyes fixed on a top-four spot this season. The club has stated its intent after losing just one game in eight. The solitary defeat came in the second match of the season against San Luis. Since then, Pumas have registered three wins and three draws. The stalemates came against Necaxa, Tigres, and Atlas, while the victories came over Pachuca, Puebla, and, most recently, Santos Laguna. Pumas are three points ahead of Chivas and four off the top of the table. Hence, they will play for a win in this match.

Chivas have the home advantage and could capitalize on it, causing problems for Pumas. However, the visitors will have to build on their momentum and get a positive result at Estadio Akron. It is a tough venue to visit, but Pumas have the firepower to return with all three points.

Previous Meetings

There is a lot of history between these two teams, who have met 31 times in Liga MX since 2010. Chivas are edging in front in this fixture with 11 wins, while Pumas are not far behind with eight victories. A whopping 12 games between these two strong clubs have ended in draws.

Despite the abundance of stalemates, none of the last seven Liga MX clashes between these two teams have ended in a draw. Chivas have reigned supreme during that run by winning five, while Pumas have won the remaining two. Both victories for Pumas came last season, with one coming in the regular season and the other coming in a crucial playoff quarterfinal second leg.

The last time Chivas hosted Pumas in a regular season encounter was during the Apertura 2022 campaign. Diogo gave the visitors an early lead with his 3rd-minute strike. Goals from Jesus Orozco and Alexis Vega and an own goal from Gil Alcala turned the game on its head and gave the hosts a comfortable 3-1 victory.

Chivas Guadalajara Are Falling Behind In The Top-Four Race  

Approaching the midway point of the season, the Chivas find themselves seven points off the top of the table. However, they are only three points off the fourth spot, which is also the final playoff spot this season.

Victory against Pumas will lift Chivas toward the playoff spots, but a defeat can drop them down toward the low-ranked play-in spots. If Chivas are chasing the title, they will not want to play the extra play-in matches, and hence, the hosts will be itching for a win in the next game.

The Hosts Need To Start Posting Convincing Wins  

Chivas have not looked confident in any of their eight league games this season. The club has only won one game with a margin of more than one goal, and that came in the 2-0 victory against San Luis.

Across all competitions, Chivas have struggled to secure a shutout, failing to keep a clean sheet in the last five games. These struggles will be opportunities for Pumas to capitalize on.

Chivas Are Yet To Lose At Home This Season  

The 12-time Liga MX champions have played three home games this season, winning two and drawing one.

Their last loss at home in the league came against Tigres in October during the Apertura 2023 season. Since then, they have won four and drawn one of their last five away league games.

Two Tough Games For Pumas UNAM On The Bounce   

The Pumas have played five games at home so far, winning four and securing a stalemate in one. This proves that the side is tough to beat in their own backyard. However, the club is still waiting for its first away win of the season.

In three away matches, the Pumas have drawn two and lost one. The team is now on the road to face Chivas and will travel to Monterrey after that. These two games will be quite tough for the seven-time Liga MX champions. 

Talismanic Winger Is In Fine Form  

Eduardo Salvio continues to be a pivotal part of the Pumas team. In the Apertura 2013 season, the winger could not discover his true form and ended the season with just one goal and three assists.

However, this Clausura season, he has scored three goals and bagged four assists in just eight appearances. The Argentine will be Pumas’ primary threat in attack.

Striker Is Finally Settling In

Pumas signed Guillermo Martinez from Puebla in December. The striker struggled in his first three appearances for his new club but found his footing against the Tigres by scoring a brace.

Martinez also scored against his former club, Puebla, and was on the scoresheet again last weekend against Santos. He has now scored four goals in seven appearances for the Pumas.

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How to watch Chivas Guadalajara vs. Pumas UNAM

• Teams: Chivas Guadalajara vs. Pumas UNAM

• Location: Estadio Akron

• Time: Saturday, February 24 at 8:05 pm ET

• How to watch: Univision, Telemundo, Fox Sports, ESPN, Vix and Sling TV