Cruz Azul vs. Club America Prediction: First Leg of the Clausura 2024 Title

Thursday evening the first leg of the Clausura showcase match will take place as Cruz Azul will host Club America at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes. Adding to the spiciness of this clash it’s one of the biggest derbies in Mexico as these Mexico City-based clubs will square off in the 170th edition of the Clásico Joven.

Cruz Azul is coming off a 2-1 defeat to Monterrey on Sunday. Angel Sepulveda's marker in the 61st minute was enough to carry Cruz Azul in a losing effort to bring them to the Clausura final thanks to the away goal rule. The defeat over the weekend was La Máquina's first loss since March 6.

Meanwhile, Club America is coming off an emotional El Súper Clásico semi-final battle, winning 1-0 last Saturday. Right back Israel Reyes played the hero finding the back of the net in the 60th minute, carrying Las Águilas to another final. The victory snapped the club four four-game winless run in all competitive matches.

Here, we will break down the betting odds and share our favorite picks for Cruz Azul vs. Club America.

Cruz Azul vs. Club America betting odds for Thursday, May 23

This upcoming Clásico Joven can go both ways on the scoresheet according to the books. The over and under 2.5 goal mark is priced with an identical -112 for both markets.

Odds from bet365 Sportsbook. Click the odds in the table below to place your bet and get $1,000 First Bet Safety Net or Bet $5 Get $150 at bet365.

Cruz Azul vs. Club America Betting Preview

Cruz Azul Preview

Assisting on the crucial goal La Máquina needed to advance, defender Rodrigo Huescas put in a critical 90-minute shift on Sunday. The 20-year-old finished the semifinal with two registered shots on the net and finished with a 77 percent passing completion rate. Thursday night he will be leaned upon to carry much of the workload as Huescas finished the regular season with one of the highest average of duels won on this squad with a 56.5 percent success rate.

Leading his side in the goals category in the Clausura season with eight is Uriel Antuna. The 26-year-old has become snake-bitten during the Liga MX playoffs, failing to cash in a goal in four postseason matches. Monterrey did a fantastic job holding Antuna at bay, as he was kept quiet in the two-legged affair failing to register a shot taken. Facing Club America, the third leading goal scorer in the competition needs to be active in the 18-yard box if Cruz Azul has any shot pulling off the upset as the lower seed.

Bet on Cruz Azul at bet365 Sportsbook

Club America Preview

A pivotal reason why Club America is playing in the finals is the brick wall they have between the woodwork, Luis Malagon. The 27-year-old has acquired two clean sheets in a row making a total of six saves. Starting in 19 regular season and playoffs combined, Malagon has picked up nine clean sheets while only conceding 13 goals.

Putting in a man-of-a-match performance last weekend was center-back Igor Lichnovsky. The Chilean fetched an assist in the match which would set up to be the all-important goal Las Águilas needed to advance to the finals. Last weekend's presentation saw the 30-year-old finishing with a passing accuracy of 94 percent while dominating the air winning 83 percent of his aerial duels.

Bet on Club America at bet365 Sportsbook

Cruz Azul vs. Club America - My Pick

The Clásico Joven has played to some wild encounters in recent times during the regular season. That being said there are trends between these two foes that should see the first leg play to a lower-scoring cagey affair. After the end of the Clausura campaign, both participants in this conflict finished as the top two clubs in the main defensive categories. Both combatants finished with 10 clean sheets to their results, and they both conceded an average of less than a goal per game. Expect Cruz Azul to try to keep this match as tight as possible so they can have a chance in the second leg and put all the pressure on Club America. In their last five matches, Club America's games went under the 2.5 goal total four times, on the other hand for Cruz Azul it’s gone under the number three times.

• Cruz Azul vs. Club America pick: Under 2.5 Goals (-112) at bet365 Sportsbook

How to Watch Cruz Azul vs. Club America

• When: Thursday, May, 23 at 10 p.m ET

• Where: Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes

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