CF Pachuca vs. FC Juarez Prediction, Picks, Odds

WSN

01 March 2024

CF Pachuca vs. FC Juarez Prediction, Picks, Odds

CF Pachuca vs. FC Juarez Predictions

After winning seven of their last ten Liga MX encounters, Pachuca have instated themselves as genuine title contenders this season. During that impressive run, the club has lost twice and drawn one game. That solitary stalemate came in their last match against Necaxa. The two defeats have come against Pumas and Monterrey. Meanwhile, the two prominent opponents Pachuca have beaten this season are fellow contenders Cruz Azul and defending champions Club America.

Meanwhile, Juarez’s slump continues in the Mexican top division. Nothing is going their way, as the club has lost ten out of their last 12 Liga MX matches. The other two games ended in draws, giving the club a crucial point against Cruz Azul and Necaxa. Since their last draw, Juarez have played three league games and lost all of them. They suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat against Chivas before Monterrey blanked them 3-0. Earlier this week, Juarez were on the verge of holding Tigres to a goalless draw before Andre Pierre-Gignac scored an 87th-minute winner.

Juarez could face the full wrath of Pachuca because the seven-time league winners were frustrated after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Necaxa. Meanwhile, the visitors are miles away from recovery and are unlikely to stage a blazing performance against one of the best attacks in the league this season. Hence, the bookmakers are right to back Pachuca as favorites.

This will be the ninth Liga MX meeting between Pachuca and Juarez. The record is almost evenly balanced as the former has won three, and the latter has bagged two victories. Three matches have ended in draws, but none of the last four fixtures between these clubs has ended in a stalemate.

Last season, Oussama Idrissi scored the only goal of the match when Juarez hosted Pachuca. The goal came eight minutes past the hour mark and was enough to sink the hosts. In the Clausura 2023 season, Pachuca played hosts and relied on goals from Mauricio Isais, Jose Castillo, Roberto de la Rosa, and an own goal from Alejandro Arribas to thrash Juarez 4-1.

Juarez’s last victory over Pachuca in their own backyard came in the Apertura 2019 season. Mauro Fernandez scored the only goal of that match in the 47th minute to give the visitors all three points. Since then, Juarez have visited Estadio Hidalgo thrice. Two games have ended in draws, and the latest one ended in a 4-1 win for Pachuca.

Pachuca Will Be in No Mood to Take Their Foot Off the Pedal

Four points separate the top nine teams on the table, and that leaves no room for errors for those clubs who want to secure a top-four finish and clinch a valuable playoff spot. After their sudden resurgence, Pachuca will aim for one of those spots.

However, the race for direct playoff qualification is expected to go down the wire this season as at least eight clubs will fight for the four spots. The upcoming game should be easy three points for Pachuca, and if they fumble, they will tumble down the table.

The Hosts Will Aim for a Rare Shutout

Pachuca have the best attack and have scored 21 goals in 9 matches. Averaging over two goals per match, the club has not done well defensively, as no other team in the top ten has conceded more goals than Pachuca.

The seven-time Liga MX champions have failed to keep a cleansheet in the last eight games. They can clinch one against Juarez if the defense remains sharp.

Five Star Record at Home in Sight

Pachuca have struggled a bit on the road, with both defeats coming in away games this season. In five away matches, the seven-time league winners have won two, lost as many, and drawn one.

Meanwhile, at home, Pachuca are prolific. They have won all four of their home games this season, and defeating Juarez will extend their perfect start at home to five games.

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Juarez Desperately Looking for a Silver Lining

Juarez are the only side in Liga MX, apart from Tijuana, that is yet to register a win in this Clausura campaign. In eight games, the visitors have lost six and drawn two. They have only scored four goals and conceded 13 in the process.

Under the new management of Mauricio Barbieri, Juarez are looking to turn their season around. They came close to securing a good result in the last match against Tigres but eventually suffered a narrow defeat. The club is still hoping to get off the bottom of the table.

The Goals Have Dried Up for the Striker

Michael Santos is operating as Juarez’s sole striker. The Uruguayan has made eight appearances and scored just two goals so far. Both goals came in the same match against Necaxa four games ago.

Since then, Santos has played three matches and fired blanks in them all. His teammate, Arturo Ortiz, has been warming the bench in the last two games and will be eager to start the next game.