Cruz Azul vs Club America Predictions

Monday’s Liga MX Apertura final, second leg clash sees rivals Cruz Azul and Club America facing off once again at the Estadio Azteca. Another close game is anticipated after a 0-0 draw in Friday’s first leg..

The draw between the two a couple of days ago undoubtedly saw the attacking quality both teams possess fade into the background and the magnitude of the occasion come to the forefront. With local rivalry and a title at stake, it was a 90 minutes that ended with few chances having been created and most of the entertainment on offer came at the end of the match, as the two engaged in a heated scuffle that has temperatures all the more hotter coming into Monday’s meeting.

Ultimately, it was Cruz Azul who came away the more disappointed from said first leg, having missed a huge opportunity in the last minute and that’s one they’ll regret for quite some time if they fail to get the job done on Monday.

La Maquina have been extremely impressive throughout the Apertura phase up until this point, having topped the regular table with 36 points from 17 games, as well as eliminating Queretaro and Monterrey from the play-offs. Having now lost just 1 of their last 11 matches, confidence is clearly flowing high in their ranks but it’s all still to play for on Monday.

Club America themselves are a real force, something evidenced by the fact they’re 18 matches unbeaten and for that exact reason, which way the title will be heading still hangs firmly in the balance.

Nonetheless, with key man Mateus Uribe set to miss out alongside Rodger Martinez, after the duo picked up knocks in the first leg, America have been dealt  big blows and their prospects look slightly bleaker going into the game now.

We did expect to see a slightly more open game on Friday and were surprised to see so little on offer at either end, but we perhaps underestimated the pressure riding on each outfit and Monday’s game sees the stakes rise all the more, with a winner to be decided on the night.

Given the two have now drawn 4 of their last 5 meetings and taking into account how close the first leg was, it’s backing he draw that’s captured our attention as far as the betting goes and at a more than reasonable price, that’s exactly where our money is going.

As mentioned above, Cruz Azul have lost just 1 of their last 11 games, drawing 4 times in the process and with America protecting a long unbeaten streak and having shared the spoils in 6 of their last 9 outings, a 1-1 full time score that would force extra-time could well be on the cards.