Club America vs Cruz Azul Predictions

Friday’s Liga MX Apertura final, first leg clash sees Club America doing battle with Cruz Azul at the Estadio Azteca. Plenty of action is expected at both ends of the pitch with both teams accustomed to playing attacking football.

Having cruised into the final via a 7-2 aggregate win over UNAM Pumas, Club America arrive with confidence sky high and will be aiming to use the momentum they’ve built to full effect in Friday’s clash. Whilst both legs of the tie will be held at the Estadio Azteca, it’s this game in which Las Águilas will have the majority of the crowd and that’s something they will be aiming to take full advantage of.

Unbeaten in 6 home matches against Cruz Azul, winning 4 times in the process, America will certainly be confident in doing exactly that. Having also won 4 of their last 5 home games, whilst plunging in a huge average of 3.8 per match, it’s fair to say Miguel Herrera’s troops’ prospects look bright coming into the game.

Nonetheless, the task at hand is far from an easy one, with the strong Cruz Azul also desperate for the crown. Pedro Caixinha may have struggled to make a positive impression during his spell in Scotland but he’s certainly done a good job in the Maquina dugout this year, with his side one of, if not the most impressive team in Mexico during 2018.

Finishing top of the regular table in the Apertura phase whilst taking an excellent 36 points from 17 games prior to seeing off Queretaro and Monterrey in the play-offs to reach this point, it’s apparent that Cruz Azul are a real force once again and more than have the ability to go blow or blow with their local rivals.

Ultimately, with a huge crowd expected and so much at stake, we should be set for an exciting 90 minutes. Both sides have potent players all over the pitch and have performed extremely well in attacking lines throughout the action we’ve seen so far.

As such, we really like the look of backing both nets to be hit and at an appealing price, that’s exactly where our money is going. Both teams have scored in Club America’s last 7 games and with Cruz Azul having notched at least once in all but one of their last 8 matches, we shouldn’t be short of goals in this one but we do fancy America to edge themselves in front going into the second leg; via a 2-1 margin of victory.