Lobos BUAP vs Santos Laguna Predictions

Sunday’s Liga MX Clausura action sees Lobos BUAP playing host to Santos Laguna. Plenty of action is expected at both ends of the pitch as each side looks to kick off the second half of the campaign with a positive result.

After finishing bottom of the average points table last season, Lobos are lucky to still be in the top flight but they were granted safety thanks to side set to replace them from the second tier failing to gain a licence. The hosts then came into the new campaign with the threat of relegation still looming and whilst they’re not quite over the line yet, they’ve done a good job thus far as regards ensuring they don’t end up bottom of the pile once again.

Indeed, Lobos are currently clear of basement dwellers Veracruz on the average points table and took 9 more points than them during the Apertura phase, in which they finished 13th on 19 points from 17 matches. As such, the hosts find themselves in a good position at the moment but know they still need to perform well in the coming months to stay out of danger.

Meanwhile, Santos Laguna were very impressive over the opening half of the campaign, ending regular action in 4th place prior to losing out to a powerful Monterrey outfit in the play-offs. Los Guerreros will now once again be targeting a place in the top 8 and look well placed to do so, irrespective of the fact they’ve lost a couple of players over the mid-season break.

The most notable departure from Santos ranks is forward Jonathan Rodríguez, but having retained the services of opening phase 12 goal man Julio Furch as well as adding Javier Correa to the frontline, the visitors should still carry the sort of firepower that saw them notch at least once in all 17 of their regular league matches over the opening half of the campaign.

Ultimately, we’re anticipating a fairly even game on Sunday and one that certainly shouldn’t be short on excitement. Santos are the stronger outfit of the two but Lobos should be able to give them a good challenge on a home surface they’re unbeaten in 4 on, 3 of which wins.

Calling a result looks difficult but backing both teams to score looks an excellent way to play as far as the betting goes and is something we’re more than happy to do with maximum confidence. Both nets have been hit in 6 of Lobos’ last 7 matches, as well as in 3 of Santos’ last 4 away league matches and both sequences look like continuing in a 1-1 draw; a result that would make it 4 matches in a row between the two that have seen goals at both ends.