Pumas UNAM vs Pachuca: Pumas UNAM Have Lost Four of Their Last Five Matches

• Pumas UNAM will host Pachuca at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario on Saturday. Pachuca go into this tie as overwhelming favorites but are the away side. 

• Pumas UNAM have lost four of their last five matches in the league and are sitting in 11th place on the Liga MX table. This is a very important game for their playoff hopes. 

• Pachuca are the defending Liga MX champions but haven’t really been at the races this season. They don’t look in danger of not making the playoffs, but the inconsistency is concerning. 

Pumas UNAM VS Pachuca Odds

Odds taken from bet365.

Pumas UNAM vs Pachuca Pick

Pick:  Pachuca to win. (+125)

Pumas UNAM vs Pachuca Predictions

Pachuca are the clear favorites heading into this tie, but it’s not because they’ve been setting the world on fire; it’s because Pumas UNAM haven’t for a while. Pumas UNAM have won just one game in their last eight league matches and three all season. 

They’re playing at home, which should be considered an advantage in normal circumstances, but these aren’t normal circumstances for Pumas UNAM. Pachuca, on the other hand, are defending champions. There’s no doubting their quality, but they didn’t dominate the league last season and aren’t doing the same this season, either. They’ve also had some very difficult fixtures in recent weeks, along with a grueling CONCACAF Champions League campaign. 

This match will be a welcome change for Pachuca, but they can’t be complacent. Pumas UNAM have a lot more to lose in this tie, but the gap in quality between the sides is too wide. Pachuca should get the three points after the full-time whistle blows. 

Previous Meetings

Pachuca have a better head-to-head record with nine wins and six losses, but a draw has been the most common result between the two sides. The two sides have drawn 14 times in 29 matches. In fact, four of their last five matches have been draws; Pumas UNAM won the other match.  

This, however, doesn’t suggest that Pumas UNAM have a better record in recent matches. The last match between the two sides occurred in July and ended 0-0, but it wasn’t a game without its share of big moments. 

Both sides had a man sent off towards the end of the game. UNAM’s Adrian Aldrete was sent off in the 86th minute, and Luis Chavez was sent off 10 minutes into second-half stoppage time. Pachuca were the better side on the day but didn’t do enough to stamp their authority – they had 64% of the possession but took just eight shots on goal, with two on target. 

 UNAM, however,  weren’t great and were lucky to get away with a point – they took just one shot on goal all game, and the shot wasn’t even on target. If they put in a similar display this time, chances are they’ll leave with nothing. 

Pumas UNAM Concede Late to Cruz Azul

Pumas UNAM suffered their sixth loss of the season and fourth in their last five league games to Cruz Azul over the weekend. It looked like Pumas UNAM were going to leave the Estadio Azteca with a point, but Alonso Escobozo’s 84th-minute strike sunk their hopes. 

Pumas UNAM couldn’t complain too much about the result. Cruz Azul had 57% of the possession and took 16 shots on goal to UNAM’s seven. If anyone was deserving of three points on the day, it was Cruz Azul. The nature of the loss, however, will have really stung Pumas UNAM. They can still qualify for the playoffs, but it’s looking increasingly unlikely, and their next round of fixtures are extremely difficult. 

 Pumas UNAM’s Playoff Hopes Could End This Weekend 

Pumas UNAM are playing the defending champions this weekend. They’ll also be playing the runners-up, last season’s league leaders, and this season’s league leaders in the coming weeks. They’ll have to go on a miraculous run to qualify for the playoffs, but there’s nothing in their performances this season to suggest that they’ll go on this kind of run. 

They gave themselves too much to do because of their indiscipline this season. They’ve only completed six games with 11 outfield players this season, which is unacceptable for a professional team. There’ll be a lot of regrets within the camp because the team is quite talented. 

They’ve scored 16 goals this season, which is more than what some top-10 sides have managed, but the indiscipline has led to a shambles at the back. They’ve conceded 22 goals in 11 games – two goals a game. Manager Rafael Puente Jr. has to take accountability for this, but so do the players. A win on the weekend could breathe new life into the team, but this is their last chance to make some amends. 

Pachuca Fall Short in Thrilling 2-1 Loss to Monterrey

Monterrey got their revenge over Pachuca this weekend in a 2-1 win. This was a rematch of last season’s semifinal, which Pachuca won 6-2 on aggregate. Pachuca went on to win the league and Monterrey are the current league leaders, which made this one of the most highly anticipated games of the season. The game didn’t disappoint. 

Pachuca took the lead in the third minute thanks to Marino Hinestroza. For a moment, it looked like Pachuca were going to bring Monterrey down to earth once again, but Monterrey leveled the scores 14 minutes later thanks to Jesus Gallardo. 

Neither side played with restraint – they were both going after it. The first half ended with the scores level at 1-1. Jordi Cortezo made it 2-1 in the 53rd minute and the visitors managed to hold on till the end of the match. Pachuca had 59% of the possession and took 17 shots to Monterrey’s 13 but it was no consolation in the end; a loss is a loss. 

 Pachuca Need to Get Back to Winning Ways Immediately 

Pachuca can’t wallow in their own sorry after the defeat over the weekend. They’re more than capable of putting in a strong performance and getting the desired result against Pumas UNAM. They’ve had some difficult fixtures in recent weeks along with midweek CONCACAF Champions League matches, but this is the norm for defending champions. Their fixture list isn’t as frightening starting this weekend, and they need to take advantage of this. 

 Pumas UNAM have been the most undisciplined team in the league this season. Pachuca won’t get better opponents to work their way into some form and finish the season strongly. Of course, there are no easy games in the league – they’ll have to be wary of Pumas UNAM’s attacking options, but it’s not something they can’t handle. 

How to Watch Pumas UNAM vs Pachuca

• Teams: Pumas UNAM vs Pachuca

• Location: Estadio Olimpico Universitario

• Time: Sunday, March 19 at 12:00 pm ET onwards

• How to watch: Univision networks TUDN and UniMas, ESPN Deportes, Telemundo, and Fox Deportes