Chivas Guadalajara vs Mazatlan FC Odds, Prediction, Picks
Chivas Guadalajara vs Mazatlan FC Predictions
Before the 2023 Leagues Cup break, Chivas were competing for the top spot in Liga MX. The team is now dangling in seventh place after losing three and drawing one of their last three games. After losing against Santos Laguna, CF Monterrey, and rivals Club America, Chivas picked up a point this past weekend after a goalless draw with Pachuca at home.
In nine league games this season, Mazatlan have only won once. They are currently ranked 16th and are only two points clear of the bottom of the table. After picking up their first three points of the season against Puebla in August, Mazatlan have secured draws against Club Tijuana and Cruz Azul and dropped all points against FC Juarez and San Luis.
This match is set to provide some respite for Chivas and it will be a nightmare for Mazatlan. The hosts will certainly pick up all three points at Estadio Akron this Tuesday.
In addition to the odds, the head-to-head record between these two teams also favors the hosts. The clubs have clashed on six previous occasions in Liga MX and Chivas have reigned supreme in four encounters, while Mazatlan have only won once, with the remaining fixture ending in a draw.
The previous encounter came in the 2023 Clausura season. Goals from Victor Guzman, Alexis Vega, Fernando Beltran, and Isaac Brizuela helped Chivas nab a stellar 4-1 win over Mazatlan. Andres Montano scored the consolation goal for the visitors in that match.
Only A Win Will Help Chivas Guadalajara
After coming extremely close to winning a record-equalling 13th Liga MX title in the 2023 Clausura season, Chivas will be hunting for the league title again this Apertura season. The club has not lifted the league trophy since the 2017 Clausura season.
The 2023 Apertura season got off to a perfect start for Chivas, as the club won their first three matches of the campaign. However, after the break, they have struggled. Currently on a four-game winless streak, only a win can bring the title contenders back on track.
Scoring More Goals Can Solve Most Problems
In the first three games of the current Apertura season, Chivas scored seven goals and were sitting at the summit of Liga MX. However, their form took a turn for the worse after the break.
As things stand, Chivas’ goalscoring average has dropped considerably as the club has only managed to score four goals in the last six matches.
Chivas Have a Stellar Record at Home
It is always a tough task for any team to take something away from Estadio Akron. It is not a happy hunting ground for many Mexican top-tier clubs, especially Mazatlan.
Across all competitions, Chivas have hosted Mazatlan four times and all four games have gone in favor of the hosts.
Playoffs Still An Unrealistic Target For Mazatlan FC
Mazatlan will come into this game with a slightly better record in the last five matches as compared to their opponents. The club has picked up five points in the last five games and is four points off the final playoff qualification spot.
The gap to playoff qualification is bigger than the gap to the bottom of the table for Mazatlan. Hence, the playoff pursuit could well be over for the struggling Mexican side and they could end up on the bottom of the table after the upcoming match week.
The Visitors Are Yet to Win on the Road
In the 2023 Clausura season, Mazatlan finished with just one win in eight away games. They could match that record this season or do worse than that.
So far in the 2023 Apertura season, the team has played five away games. They have lost three, drawn two, and are still waiting for their first away win of the season.
Injuries to Key Players Raising Concerns
Andres Montano has made four appearances in the Mazatlan midfield this season but will miss the game with Chivas due to a knee injury.
Defender Lucas Merolla is also on the injury list alongside Jorge Padilla, Nestor Vidrio, and Roberto Meraz.
