Chivas Guadalajara vs. Pumas UNAM Odds, Prediction, Picks

Chivas Guadalajara vs. Pumas UNAM Predictions

In the final five games of the season, Chivas Guadalajara won three and lost two. The club clinched a decent 2-0 away win against Puebla before they were humiliated 4-0 at home by the defending champions Tigres UANL. Two back-to-back wins against Queretaro FC and Cruz Azul helped the club bounce back only to face defeat on the final day against their first playoff opponents – Pumas UNAM.  

Pumas UNAM have recovered well this season after struggling last year. A fourth-place finish is quite impressive, considering the fact that the club struggled to make the playoffs last season. Pumas suffered narrow losses against Monterrey and Necaxa before they were held to a 1-1 draw by Club Leon towards the end of the season. The team’s morale received a much-needed boost after the regular season ended with back-to-back wins against Atlas FC and Chivas.

As the curtains dropped on the regular Apertura 2023 season, only a point separated these two rivals. The playoff encounter between the fourth and the fifth-seeded teams will be mercurial and tough to predict. However, in this encounter, Chivas may nick a narrow home win.

There is a lot of history between these two city rivals, who have met 30 times across all competitions since 2010. Chivas have the better record in this fixture, as they have ten victories under their belt, while Pumas have registered eight wins.

The remaining 12 games have ended in stalemates. Gabriel Fernandez scored the only goal of the match when these two clubs clashed in the regular season. The last time Chivas hosted Pumas was in the Apertura 2022 season, and the hosts clinched a 3-1 win.

The previous Liga MX playoff encounter between these two rivals came in the Clausura 2022 season when Chivas walloped the visitors 4-1, courtesy of goals from Cristian Calderon, Fernando Beltran, Jose Macias, and Alexis Vega. 

Chivas Guadalajara Eyeing Record-Equalling Title  

Chivas Guadalajara will enter the playoffs with only one intention – to end their six-year title drought by winning a record-equalling 13th Liga MX title. However, before reaching the penultimate phase, Chivas will have to clear a couple of challenging hurdles.

The primary objective is establishing parity with arch-rivals Club America, who have 13 Liga MX titles. The quarterfinals and semifinals before the grand finale will be anything but a cakewalk, and the hosts will need to be consistent if they want to achieve their target.

Defensive Duo Doubtful Ahead of Crucial Encounter  

When Chivas face Pumas this week, the hosts could be without the services of center-back Jesus Orozco and left-back Manuel Mayorga.

While Mayorga has not been a prominent figure in the starting eleven this season, Orozco could be a big miss for the club at the heart of defense.

Goalscoring Onus on Winger  

Chivas Guadalajara’s major concern falls in the attacking department, as the club scored the least number of goals in the top ten of the regular season.

The hosts have scored 22 goals and conceded the same amount. Roberto Alvarado is the club’s top scorer this season. The winger has scored six goals in 13 matches and is likely to add more to his tally in the playoffs.

Pumas UNAM Will Take One Step at a Time   

The Liga MX title will be a long shot for Pumas UNAM. The club has won seven titles, but their last title victory came in the Clausura 2011 season. Since then, the club has struggled and failed to reach the playoffs multiple times.

This season, reaching the playoffs was the primary objective of Pumas. Now that they have reached the milestone, the club will focus on what they have in hand. The visitors are not firm favorites to win the title, so the aim will be to reach the semifinals.

Defensive Midfielder’s Return Could Bolster Midfield  

In the entire month of October, Pumas were without their key defensive midfielder Jose Caicedo. The Colombian has made ten appearances in Liga MX this season.

Winning tackles and duels in midfield and helping the defenders have been Caicedo's primary roles, and in his absence, Pumas have struggled. The 21-year-old is doubtful ahead of the game against Chivas.

Young Winger Will be a Menace Down the Flank

When the visitors go out in search of goals against Chivas, they will rely on the clinical nature of Cesar Huerta. The 22-year-old is the club’s top scorer this season.

In 15 appearances, Huerta has scored eight and assisted two goals. He is weak in the aerial department but has been brilliant with his feet and will cause problems for the hosts.