Cruz Azul vs. Toluca Prediction: Can La Maquina Keep It Rolling?

Saturday evening at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, Cruz Azul will battle it out hosting Toluca. Currently, these two sides find themselves unbeaten in their first three matches in the 2024 Apertura campaign. Head-to-head in their previous 35 clashes, La Maquina posses the edge winning on 14 occasions while Toluca has been victorious ten times, 11 times the points have been shared.

Cruz Azul crushed Tijuana in their midweek affair winning 3-0. Georgios Giakoumakis collected a multi-goal performance scoring in the 34th and 52nd minutes. Despite only occupying the ball possession for 38 percent of the match, La Maquina still controlled the most of the match, defending comfortably while limiting Toluca to one shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.

Meanwhile, Toluca thumped Mazatlan on Wednesday evening attaining a 3-0 victory. Three different players hit the score sheet for Diablos Rojos. Toluca maintained 54 percent of the ball possession while outshooting their opponent 13 to 7. The defence has done its part through the previous three matches only conceding twice.

Here, we will break down the betting odds and share our favourite picks for Cruz Azul vs. Toluca.

Cruz Azul vs. Toluca Betting Odds for Saturday, July 20

The books have pegged the hosts as the favourites to obtain all three points in Saturday's affair. Cruz Azul is priced at +110 to remain perfect in Liga MX. The visitors, Toluca, are listed at +220 to pull off the upset. For both teams to split the points the draw is written down at +230.

The following odds are taken from bet365 Sportsbook. Head over to bet365 to place your bets and claim a bonus: $1,000 Safety Net Bet OR $150 in Bonus Bets.

Cruz Azul vs. Toluca Betting Prediction

Cruz Azul Preview

A newly acquired striker, from Atlanta United of MLS, Georgios Giakoumakis hasn’t looked out of place joining La Maquina after two matches. The Greek international as stated above opened his Liga MX account by bagging two goals. In 112 minutes of play the 29-year-old currently owns an xG of 0.29, showing the striker might come back down to earth in his future appearances.

After spending three seasons with Monterrey, Luis Romo rejoined Cruz Azul in the off-season, looking to replicate his breakout year in the 2020-21 campaign where he had 18 goal contributions. Seeing 115 minutes total after two matches, the 29-year-old has won 90 percent of his duels while boasting an 85.1 percent passing accuracy rate.

Bet on Cruz Azul at bet365

Toluca Preview

Riding a two-game consecutive goal streak, leading his side in the goals department is Paulinho. The 31-year-old has notched three goals off eight shots in 200 minutes of Liga MX play. The marquee signing for Diablos Rojos is quickly paying off as the left winger comfortably fits into the club's system after spending 14 years in Portugal’s top-flight division.

Off to a pleasant start to the Apertura campaign the play of Tiago Volpi between the sticks. Three games into the season the 33-year-old has already registered two clean sheets. Not only is Volpi intimidating in the box, but he’s also a threat from the opposition's penalty spot, as he has 15 career goals in his Liga MX portfolio.

Bet on Toluca at bet365

Cruz Azul vs. Toluca - My Pick

• Cruz Azul vs. Toluca pick: Cruz Azul moneyline 3-way (+110) at bet365

After three rounds into the 2024 Apertura, the two sides facing off against each other are executing their opportunities. Despite both clubs in positive forms, it’s hard to resist and not back the home side in this one. La Maquina have been able to breach one past the keeper in multiple occurrences having scored two or more goals in five of their last 10 games at Estadio Ciudad. Cruz Azul have stockpiled 10 clean sheets in their past 20 matches in all competitions. Think we see Cruz Azul's class fully shine through which is just enough to collect all three points.

Bet on Monterrey moneyline 3-way (+110) at bet365

How to Watch Cruz Azul vs. Toluca

• When: Saturday, July 20, 11.05 p.m ET

• Where: Estadio Ciudad

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