Atlas FC vs Tigres UANL Odds, Prediction, Picks

Atlas FC vs Tigres UANL Predictions

Two strong clubs who have tasted Liga MX success in the recent past will face off against each other at the Estadio Jalisco on Sunday night, as they return from the international break. Three-time Liga MX winners will host eight-time champions Tigres UANL. 

The home side are looking slightly weaker than the visitors, given their loss to Atletico de San Luis earlier this month. Atlas FC will be looking to bounce back from the defeat, hoping the break will have rejuvenated their spirits. In their last five matches, Atlas have won just two. 

It was business as usual for Tigres UANL on their last outing as the team secured all three points against Queretaro in emphatic fashion, winning 5-0 at home. A long injury list did not deter Los Tigres. They have had mixed results in the recent past though they have managed to win three of their last five competitive matches. This makes them the favorites to edge past Atlas in Sunday’s meeting.

Tigres heavily dominate the head-to-head against Atlas, winning 14 of their previous matches. The two clubs have faced each other 30 times so far, with Atlas registering just five wins among them. The remaining 11 encounters have ended in draws.

The eight-time Liga MX champions have won three back-to-back matches in the last five meetings with Sunday’s hosts. The most recent meeting between the two was in the Clausura season in Atlas’ backyard, where the visitors managed to clinch all three points after a narrow 1-0 victory. 

Atlas FC will put up a fight to defy the odds as they have managed to beat the visitors on two occasions out of the previous five. A home record of being unbeaten in their last eight games will also bolster their spirits. However, Tigres UANL are the strong favorites to nab a win in this encounter.

Former League Champions Are Struggling This Year

Atlas FC surprised everyone by lifting back-to-back Liga MX titles in both the Apertura and Clausura for the year 2021-22. However, since then the champions have struggled with form, and putting out performances that are worthy of winning titles.

The club failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the 2022-23 Apertura, finishing second from bottom in 17th place in the Apertura table. In the Clausura season, they did manage to qualify for the playoffs by finishing ninth in the table. However, they were knocked out by eventual finalists Guadalajara in the quarterfinals.

In the current Apertura season, the team has struggled with form, as they once again sit ninth in the table. They have managed to win just two of their seven games played so far, drawing three and losing the remaining two.

Current Season Woes for the Hosts

Heading into Sunday’s encounter, the home side, Atlas FC is clearly the weaker side, as they have struggled massively with form this season. Los Rojinegros have won just two games in the Apertura 2023-24 season. They have accumulated just nine points from a possible 21 in their seven games played so far. 

The team seems far from the one that won back-to-back titles in the 2021-22 season. Atlas won their opening match against Cruz Azul but immediately lost to Monterrey in the next round. This was followed by three draws on either side of the Leagues Cup, against Santos, Club America, and Toluca. Though they did win against Queretaro, the victory was quickly followed by another loss to San Luis.

Home Form Expected to Boost Morale

Atlas FC have been in dismal form this season, sitting ninth in the table with just two wins out of seven. Their goalscoring form is also extremely poor, as they’ve managed to find the back of the net a mere five times in seven outings. Atlas’ goal difference still sits at zero as they have conceded five goals as well.

The best result for the hosts on Sunday will be a draw, as the team does not look strong enough to beat a dominating Tigres side. However, Atlas’ record at home has been decent as they haven’t lost at the Estadio Jalisco in their last eight games. Three of these games have ended in victories for the home side, Pachuca, Chivas, and Cruz Azul.

Tigres UANL Hope to Continue Good Run

The Clausura 2023 champions, Tigres UANL have lost only one game in the new Apertura season out of a total of seven games played. They have recorded four wins, two draws, and just one loss in the fresh season. They head into the round-eight clash against Atlas FC, having secured an emphatic 5-0 victory over Queretaro in their previous match. 

Los Tigres are placed second in the table, only behind Atletico de San Luis, who have won one match more than Tigres. They have secured 14 points out of a probable 21 so far. Out of their last five matches in the Apertura, Tigres has won four. As a result, they are heavy favorites to seal all three points on Sunday.

Goals Galore for the Visitors

Robert Siboldi has a long list of injured players, with three midfielders, and one forward being doubtful for their encounter against Atlas. However, he has nothing to worry about as the rest of his squad is more than adept at scoring goals.

Tigres UANL have scored 19 goals so far this season in seven games. In the last match, four different players were on the scoresheet. Raymundo Fulgencio netted twice, with Andre-Pierre Gignac, Juan Pablo Vigon, and Nicolas Ibanez each bagging a goal.

Overall, Siboldi’s side tops the table in terms of goals scored in the Liga MX this season, averaging an impressive  2.1 goals per match.

Impressive H2H Record Favors the Visitors

Tigres UANL have dominated the head-to-head record against Atlas FC for years, and given the current form, Sunday should be no different. Los Tigres are no strangers to winning at the Estadio Jalisco, with six of their 14 victories against Atlas coming at that stadium.

Tigres head into this clash as the firm favorites with players like Gignac and Vigon in prime form. Mexican youngster Fulgencio has also got off to a fantastic start for the Tigres. He provided an assist in his first appearance against Club Universidad Nacional and managed to net two goals in his first start against Queretaro. The 22-year-old now has provided two goals and an assist in just three appearances for the club.