Cruz Azul vs. Tigres UANL Prediction: Tigres Will Play with Boosted Confidence

• Cruz Azul extended their winning streak in the Clausura 2024 season to four games last weekend after beating Atletico de San Luis 3-0 

• Tigres UANL extended their unbeaten run in the league to six games after beating Santos Laguna 3-0 last weekend

• In the Apertura 2023 season, Tigres UANL hosted Cruz Azul and edged past the visitors with a 2-1 scoreline

Cruz Azul vs. Tigres UANL Odds

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Cruz Azul vs. Tigres UANL Pick

• OUR PICK: Tigres UANL to win.

Cruz Azul vs. Tigres UANL Predictions

At the start of the season, Cruz Azul's target was to bounce back and not finish close to the foot of the table. A loss against Pachuca at home on day one, followed by a goalless draw against FC Juarez, indicated that the club is still struggling in the top division. However, a sudden change has put Cruz Azul on a four-game winning streak. The club defeated Mazatlan, Tijuana, Queretaro, and San Luis during this run.

Tigres have yet to suffer a defeat this season, as they have won four and drawn two of their six Liga MX games. The season started with three successive wins over Club Leon, Chivas Guadalajara, and San Luis. The short winning run ended because of two frustrating stalemates against Queretaro and Pumas UNAM. However, the Clausura 2023 champions returned to winning ways last weekend against Santos Laguna.

Cruz Azul have collected many valuable points over the past couple of weeks. However, they have faced only two challenging opponents so far. They lost against Pachuca and defeated San Luis. Facing Tigres will be a big task, and the hosts want to build on their winning momentum. But, the eight-time champions will not go down easily and are favorites to emerge victorious on enemy territory.

Previous Meetings

Cruz Azul and Tigres are two of the most decorated clubs in the Mexican top flight. Their aggregate title count is 17, of which Cruz Azul have won nine. Meanwhile, in the head-to-head record, Tigres are in front with 13 wins in 9-9-13 in 31 games, while Cruz Azul have secured nine victories. The other nine matches have ended in draws.

Last season, when Tigres hosted Cruz Azul, Uriel Antuna scored the opening goal in first-half stoppage time. The visitors led till the 62nd minute when Andre-Pierre Gignac scored the equalizer. The game was headed towards a draw before Rafael Carioca netted the winner for the hosts in the 96th minute.

The last time Cruz Azul hosted Tigres was in the Clausura 2023 campaign, and it did not go well for the hosts. Guido Pizzaro scored the only goal of the match, as the visitors waltzed away with all three points. Cruz Azul’s last win over Tigres came in the Apertura 2022 season when they nabbed a thrilling 3-2 away win.

New Cruz Azul Coach Always Aims for Silverware  

The struggle in recent seasons for Cruz Azul has been quite tough, and the fans have been hugely disappointed to see such a decorated club loiter near the bottom of the table. However, a change in management has helped the club regain winning momentum.

Martin Anselmi is at the helm this season, and the Argentine is used to winning trophies. Since 2022, the 46-year-old has lifted four titles. Anselmi is eager to restore Cruz Azul as a title contender this season, and so far, he has done exceptionally well.

Multiple Options Will Give Hosts Freedom in the Final Third  

The goalscoring burden for Cruz Azul is being shared between multiple players this season. Angel Sepulveda has been clinical since he arrived from Queretaro in August. He has scored two goals in six appearances so far.

Gabriel Fernandez and Uriel Antuna have also scored two each, with the latter registering two assists as well. Anselmi has no concerns in attack and will focus on his defense to keep the Tigres attackers at bay.

Cruz Azul Have Already Surpassed the Home Win Count of Last Season

In eight home games last season, Cruz Azul notched only two wins. They drew one and lost the remaining five matches.

A marked improvement has handed them three wins in four home games this season so far. Gaining and building on momentum is key now, and Cruz Azul are expected to come out all-guns-blazing against Tigres.

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Tigres UANL’s Confidence Boosted After Champions Cup Victory   

Tigres will come into this game on the back of two crucial victories. One came against Santos in the league, and it helped the club nab a win after two consecutive draws. The other came in the CONCACAF Champions Cup against MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps.

Vancouver held Tigres to a 1-1 draw at home in the first leg. In the second leg, playing in their own backyard, Tigres clinched an easy 3-0 victory and gained the perfect momentum ahead of a mercurial clash with Cruz Azul.

Visitors Aiming to Extend Unbeaten Away Streak   

The victory against Santos last weekend extended Tigres’ unbeaten away streak to five games across all competitions. The eight-time Liga MX champions will play Toluca on the road after Cruz Azul and then take on Club America at the Estadio Azteca.

Going to the Azteca with a prolific unbeaten streak will hand Tigres a psychological advantage. Cruz Azul will be a tough nut to crack in their own backyard, but they have already been beaten once at home. Tigres have the ability and the quality to replicate that outcome.

Midfielder in Fiery Form After Bagging Brace Against Former Club

Juan Brunetta visited Estadio Corona as an opposition player for the first time last weekend. He marked the occasion by scoring two goals for Tigres.

The midfielder has scored three and assisted two in six appearances for his new club. Brunetta is doing exactly what he was signed to do and could get in on the act again in the match against Cruz Azul.

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How to Watch Cruz Azul vs. Tigres UANL

• Teams: Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL

• Location: Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes

• Time: Saturday, February 17 at 10:00 pm ET

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