There hasn’t been much to celebrate from either team in 2021, but Leon do seem ready to bounce back at any moment. Despite their last couple of losses, the numbers underlying their defeats are in fact beginning to point to a possible late February resurgence.
Pumas are a different case altogether, and although they’ll be hosting this Sunday’s match in the midday sun, it should be Leon in the end who will find a way to outshine their opponents.
Leon have been underwhelming, but it’s only a short matter of time before they rediscover what made them champions last season.
Pick:
Leon for the win ()
How to Watch Pumas vs Leon
| Pumas vs Leon Information |
| What |
Pumas vs Leon |
| Where |
Estadio Olimpico Universitario (Mexico City, Mexico) |
| When |
Sunday, February 21st at 1:00 PM ET |
| How to Watch |
Univision, TUDN |
The Liga MX championship hangover apparently extends over to finalists as well.
After both finishing in the top two spots of the 2020 Apertura regular season — and eventually earning a place in the final round of the playoffs — both Pumas and Leon look like a shadow of their former selves in the new year.
Both carrying only one win so far in the 2021 Clausura, there seems to be an extended preseason of sorts for the clubs who were once a competitive week in and week out in the recent past.
For one team, though, things do seem like they could turn around — perhaps even by this weekend.
A Dive Into Statistics Reveals Hope For Leon
Let’s give Leon a bit of the benefit of the doubt.
They’ve had a majority of possession in every single one of their games so far this season, they’ve finished with a higher xG (expected goals) rating in most of those matches, and have dealt with a long list of saves that have denied several of their chances.
Eventually, something’s got to give.
Assuming manager Ignacio Ambriz continues with his high-pressing system, Leon’s impressive and consistent xG in their last few games should give them a much-needed boost in confidence through a well-deserved win.
And at the very least, the odds of them scoring are probably higher than that of Pumas’.
Pumas Have A Severe Goalscoring Problem
It’s not exactly a good look when your team hasn’t scored in four games. Pumas have been abysmal in the final third, and unlike Leon, they haven’t created enough opportunities for themselves on net.
In their last five games, Pumas failed to have an xG of at least 1.0 in any of those results. In fact, in two of their last three games, they finished without a single shot. Let that sink in.
This is a serious crisis for Pumas, and even if usual goalscorer Juan Carlos Dinenno is given the clearance to play this weekend, there are no guarantees that he’ll be back to his usual self after recently recovering from an injury.
Regardless of Leon’s questionable start to the year, there is one new player who has found a way to stand out despite it all: Victor Davila.
Sent over from Pachuca during the winter transfer window, the Chilean has quickly become an influential figure in the frontline with his distribution and goalscoring. Encouraged by a two-goal performance earlier this month in the 3-1 win over San Luis, Davila has been a joy to watch as he’s created chances and roamed just outside of the 18-yard box.
Like Leon, Davila is also due for another big performance in the near future.
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