Reigning Champions Face No. 1 Seed
Liga MX is one of the few soccer leagues in the world with a traditional postseason system. That’s why the best team during the regular season doesn’t always end up winning the title. Well, this time Pachuca has an incredible opportunity to do so. However, Atlas wants to win back-to-back titles for the first time in team history.
Pachuca enters with a +185 price in the sportsbook to win the first leg straight up, while Atlas enters at +185. In other words, you can expect an epic battle.
Let’s check the latest news, stats, injury reports, and Liga MX for Atlas vs Pachuca. We’ve plenty of soccer predictions for you to consider.
Atlas: Trusting the Process
In the last tournament, Atlas won the Liga MX title for the first time in 70 years. Pretty much the entire squad returned to try and become the first back-to-back champions since 2014. That’s how competitive the Liga MX is. Now, they’re two games away from the promised land.
Los Rojinegros had a great regular season. They finished in third place and advanced directly to the Round of 8, in which they faced Guadalajara. Atlas won the first leg on the road 2-1 while the second finished 1-1.
Angel Marquez, who scored both goals in the first contest, got a red card in the second. Therefore, everybody thought Atlas was going to suffer in the semifinals against Tigres, but not so much. Los Rojinegros won the first leg at home 3-0. Julio Furch, Luis Reyes and Julian Quinones were the scorers. They suffered a little in the second leg but ended up scoring two goals to seal the deal (4-2).
Quinones is the team’s top scorer with 11 goals, followed by Julio Furch. Quinones is the only player among the league’s top five scorers that hasn’t scored on a penalty. The two of them are the main reason for you to consider including the reigning champs in your soccer picks. Los Rojinegros are the only ones with two players among the league’s top 10 scorers.
Atlas is 2-2-1 in its last five games at home. Los Rojinegros scored in all five games and finished with a clean sheet once.
Pachuca: Six-Year Drought
Pachuca’s last Liga title came back in 2016. Los Tuzos are highly motivated after finishing the regular season atop the standings thanks to a 12-2-3 record. No team scored more goals than Pachuca’s 30.
Los Tuzos kept scoring like crazy in the postseason. The first leg of the Round of 8 against Atletico San Luis finished 2-2. Three days later, they won the second 3-2. In the Round of 8, they faced America, the soccer betting favorite to win it all. Los Tuzos weren’t scared and defeated Las Aguilas by a 4-1 aggregate.
Nicolas Ibanez is on fire. He has scored six of Los Tuzos’ nine goals in the postseason. But he’s not the only one. Romario Ibarra is highly motivated as well after scoring two goals against America.
Los Tuzos are 1-2-2 in their last five games on the road. Not the best, but before that, they won four in a row. During that little streak, they outscored their opponents 10-2.
Like Atlas, Pachuca has no major injury concerns or suspended players. Therefore, you can expect both to go all-in.
Atlas vs Pachuca Head-to-Head
- Previous Matches: 46
- Atlas Victories: 14 (53 goals)
- Pachuca Victories: 18 (63 goals)
- Draws: 14
As expected, their lone meeting during the regular season was a close one. Pachuca visited Atlas in early March and won 1-0 thanks to a late goal (87 minutes) from Roberto de la Rosa. Los Rojinegros played the second half with 10 players after Ian Torres got a red card right before halftime.
Atlas vs Pachuca Game Information
- Date: Thursday
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara
- Atlas vs Pachuca Live Stream: fubo.TV
Atlas vs Pachuca Betting Lines
Team | Handicap | Moneyline | Total | Team Total |
Atlas | pk -115 | +185 | 2 -140 o | 1½ +190o / 1½ -240u |
Pachuca | pk -115 | +180 | 2 +110 u | 1½ +190o / 1½ -240u |
Draw | +200 |
Atlas vs Pachuca Prediction
Besides being a final, we’re talking about the two best defensive teams in the league. Both average one goal against per game. Nevertheless, Quinones and Ibanez are on fire. I expect Los Rojinegros to take the reins right from the start and to score first. Los Tuzos will rely on the counter-attack. That’s why my soccer betting prediction is a close contest that will end up in a draw (1-1).
Score Prediction: Atlas 1, Pachuca 1