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Pachuca will welcome Monterrey to the Estadio Hidalgo in their Liga MX Apertura campaign opener on Sunday. The hosts failed to make it to the final stage in the Apertura last season and were eliminated from the quarterfinals by eventual champions Club America in the Clausura. The visitors, meanwhile, were eliminated from the quarterfinals in the Clausura phase.
The hosts were last in action in June when they registered a comfortable 3-0 win over Columbus Crew in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final. Salomón Rondón bagged a brace and Miguel Emilio Rodríguez Macías added a goal in the first half.
The visitors, meanwhile, have not played a competitive match since May, when they concluded their Clausura campaign with a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul. They concluded their pre-season with a 6-3 loss in two friendly games against Pumas UNAM last week.
Pachuca vs Monterrey Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have a long-standing rivalry and have squared off 73 times in all competitions since 1996. The visitors have the upper hand in these meetings with 32 wins. The hosts are not far behind with 22 wins and 19 games have ended in draws.
- The visitors have won their last three meetings against the hosts, including a 2-0 away triumph in the Apertura in November.
- The visitors have scored seven goals in their last three meetings against the hosts, who have just three goals to their name in that period.
- Pachuca registered just one win in their last five league games of the Clausura campaign, with three games ending in draws.
- Monterrey, meanwhile, suffered just one loss in their last five games in the Clausura campaign.
- Three of the last five meetings between the two teams have produced over 2.5 goals.
Pachuca vs Monterrey Prediction
Los Tuzos concluded their 2023-24 season with a 3-0 win over Columbus Crew in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final, winning their sixth continental title. Interestingly, they had just one win in their last seven home games in the Liga MX Apertura phase, which is a cause for concern.
Rayados play their first competitive match in over a month and head coach Fernando Ortiz might experiment with his squad in this match. Interestingly, they have won their last three meetings against the hosts and will look to build on that form.
Both teams are playing after a lengthy break, which might impact their performance in this match. With that in mind, a low-scoring draw is likely to ensue.
Prediction: Pachuca 1-1 Monterrey
Pachuca vs Monterrey Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Borja Bastón to score or assist any time - Yes
