Pumas UNAM vs. Necaxa Odds, Prediction, Picks

WSN

31 January 2024

Pumas UNAM vs. Necaxa Odds, Prediction, Picks

Pumas UNAM vs. Necaxa Predictions

The Clausura 2024 season got off to a decent start for Pumas as the club won their opening game of the season against FC Juarez at home. Eduardo Salvio scored the only goal of the match, and the hosts finished with ten men after Nathan was dismissed in the 81st minute. In the second match, Pumas were on the road and returned empty-handed after a 3-1 defeat against San Luis. However, they were back to winning ways last weekend after sweeping Pachuca aside with a 3-1 scoreline at home.

Necaxa have a chance to go level on points with the likes of Club America, Monterrey, and Tigres UANL if they beat Pumas in the next match. Their season started with a narrow 2-1 win at home against Atlas FC, followed by an away win against Puebla, which featured the same scoreline. However, Necaxa’s most important point of the season came in the last match, where the side held the defending champions, Club America, to a goalless draw at home. Both sides finished the game with ten men.

Confidence levels will be at an all-time high for Necaxa after stalling the defending champions last weekend, and the outcome of the next match could have gone in their favor if it was in their own backyard. However, it is Pumas who have the home advantage and are favorites to clinch all three points.

After earning promotion to Liga MX, Necaxa have faced Pumas 14 times in the league. The head-to-head record between the two clubs is perfectly balanced as both sides have won five games each, and four encounters have ended in draws.

In the Apertura 2023 season, Necaxa played hosts to Pumas. The visitors were reduced to ten men after Cesar Huerta was dismissed in the 13th minute. Despite that, Pumas defended well, but their defense was finally breached in the 74th minute by Samu, who scored the only goal of the match, giving Necaxa a crucial win.

Pumas last played hosts to Necaxa in the Apertura 2022 season. Adrian Aldrete was on target in the 18th minute, and the scoreline did not change till the end of the match. Necaxa’s last win at the venue came in the Clausura 2022 season when Alan Medina broke the deadlock before Rodrigo Aguirre bagged a brace to defeat the hosts 3-1.

Pumas UNAM Will Aim for a Top Four Finish

This Clausura season, the league will have only four spots for direct playoff qualification, while the number of play-in spots has increased to eight. Club America, Monterrey, and Tigres UANL are favorites to nab three out of the top four spots, leaving one up for grabs.

After finishing fourth in the Apertura 2023 season, Pumas will be expecting the same outcome this season. In order to achieve that, the club will have no margin for error. Hence, a win against Necaxa will be extremely crucial for Gustavo Lema’s men.

Hosts Can Capitalize on Home Advantage

In the Apertura 2023 season, Pumas played eight home games in the league. They won five and drew two, losing only one game in their own backyard.

This Clausura 2024 season, the club has shown the same vigor at home as it did the last season. They have won both their home games and are aiming to add another to the tally.

New Striker Out Injured Again

Pumas secured the services of Rogelio Funes Mori ahead of the Clausura 2024 season. The striker had become injury-prone at his former club Monterrey last season.

This season, he featured in two games for Pumas, playing only 45 minutes in each game, and is yet to score for his new team. The wait for a goal will go on as a chest injury is set to keep Mori on the sidelines till March.

Necaxa Need to Take a Cautious Approach

The confidence will be high for Necaxa after holding Club America to a draw, but facing Pumas will be a different challenge altogether. The hosts will be a tough nut to crack on their own territory, and Necaxa will be wary of that.

Eduardo Fentanes will be forced to make a couple of changes and might even tweak his formation and tactics for this encounter. A sudden change could bring about confusion at a time when the team needs cohesion. Hence, Fentanes’ team selection will be key.

The Visitors Need to Work on Their Away Form

Necaxa have already played on the road once this season and have registered a win in the game. By doing that, they have already managed to equal their away win tally of the Apertura 2023 season.

Necaxa played nine away games in the last league campaign. They lost four and drew as many. This season, a drastic improvement is required if the club is aiming for one of the play-in spots.

Key Player Will Miss the Crucial Match

Necaxa reeled in Diber Cambindo from Cruz Azul on loan ahead of this Clausura season. The Colombian registered an assist on his debut and scored in his second appearance.

In the third match against Club America, Cambindo was sent off for a nasty challenge on Sebastian Caceres and, hence, will remain unavailable for the next match against Pumas.