Cruz Azul vs Pumas Prediction, Betting Tips, Lineups & Odds | 21 May 2026

Liga MX Final Betting Preview: Cruz Azul vs Pumas

Cruz Azul go head-to-head with Pumas in the first leg of the 2026 Liga MX Clausura final at Estadio Banorte, with kick-off set for 22:00 on Thursday 21 May.

We believe that Cruz Azul will get the better of Pumas and La Máquina Celeste are excellent value at -156. The Full-Time Result odds look really attractive and we’re confident of landing a return here.

Cruz Azul booked their place in the final by edging past Guadalajara 4-3 on aggregate in the semi-finals. The decisive second leg saw them claim a 2-1 away victory at Estadio Akron to seal progression. La Máquina Celeste had 42% possession and recorded nine shots on target, with Jeremy Marquez and Agustin Palavecino each scoring one goal.

Pumas UNAM advanced to the final after their semi-final tie with Pachuca finished 1-1 on aggregate, progressing due to their higher regular-season seeding.

In the second leg, Pumas secured a 1-0 home win over Pachuca at Olimpico Universitario. Efrain Juarez's team enjoyed 51% possession and had one shot on goal, with Jordan Carrillo scoring the winner in the 56th minute.

Head-to-Head Statistics

Olimpico Universitario played host to the last head-to-head when home team Pumas drew 2-2 with Cruz Azul. The past 10 meetings between these sides have resulted in five Cruz Azul victories and two Pumas wins. There have also been three draws.

Liga MX		G	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	GD	P
6	Pumas	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0:0	0
7	Cruz Azul	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0:0	0

View Full Table

Cruz Azul have 4 wins, 1 loss and 5 draws, averaging 1.7 goals from 5.8 shots on goal and 10.8 attempts. Joel Huiqui's team have averaged 51.5% possession and 6.0 corners per game, with their opponents scoring 1.2 goals from 3.2 shots on goal, 7.9 attempts and 4.0 corners.

Top scorer Christian Ebere has found the net 4 times, with Jeremy Marquez, Agustin Palavecino, Jose Paradela and Gabriel Fernandez getting 2 goals each. Jose Paradela is the leading assists maker with 4.

Pumas UNAM have 6 victories, 1 defeat and 3 draws, averaging 4.1 shots on goal, 8.9 attempts and 2.1 goals. They average 50.0% possession, 2.9 corners taken and 7.0 corners against them, while 1.2 goals have been conceded from 13.6 attempts and 5.3 shots on goal.

Robert Morales got 5 goals, Jordan Carrillo notched 4, while Juninho and two other players scored 3. Juninho and Jordan Carrillo have been the top assists providers with 2 in the last 10 games.

Confirmed Lineups

Cruz Azul confirmed lineup (4-2-3-1): Kevin Mier (GK), Jeremy Marquez, Willer Ditta, Gonzalo Piovi, Omar Campos, Agustin Palavecino, Amaury Garcia, Jose Paradela, Carlos Rodriguez, Carlos Rodolfo Rotondi, Christian Ebere.

Pumas confirmed lineup (3-5-2): Keylor Navas (GK), Rodrigo Lopez, Nathan Silva, Ruben Duarte, Uriel Antuna, Santiago Trigos, Pedro Vite, Jordan Carrillo, Alvaro Angulo, Robert Morales, Juninho.

Cruz Azul vs Pumas Prediction & Betting Tips

From our main match prediction to correct score advice, a corners pick, must-watch player props and a custom bet builder — this Cruz Azul vs Pumas betting preview covers it all.

Match Prediction

Cruz Azul look like a standout bet and we’re expecting them to triumph. There are odds of -156 that the home team win the first leg and we’re confident that this is a value play.

Injuries and suspensions are taken into account by the Liga MX experts at Sportsgambler.com. Our football betting tips are also shaped by the latest form, with the stats playing a big part before predictions are made.

Key Cruz Azul vs Pumas league stats:

• Cruz Azul have won 4 of their last 5 games.
• Cruz Azul have won 7 of their last 10 games at home.

The betting odds at the top bookies suggest our pick carries a 61% chance of winning. After careful examination, our tipsters calculate this probability to be somewhere between 65-70%. That means we’re regarding it as a value wager.

One betting option for those looking for bigger odds is Cruz Azul to claim a victory along with both teams finding the net. You can get a juicy price when it comes to combining our pick with BTTS Yes.

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Our Match Prediction

Cruz Azul To Win @ -156 Bet Now

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Disclosure: This preview contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. T&Cs apply. We only recommend licensed and regulated operators. See our Editorial Policy. Pick odds and lines reflect the price available at the time of publication (May 20, 04:27). Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Correct Score Prediction

Cruz Azul 2 - 0 Pumas

We’re predicting Joel Huiqui's side to land a 2-0 victory and this is available at +600. The correct score betting option provides plenty of fun and entertainment.

Player Prop Picks

Top Pick: Carlos Rodriguez to Score +500

Carlos Rodriguez (Cruz Azul) has netted two goals in his past ten Liga MX home games. It’s worth a gamble on the +500 for him to be Anytime Goalscorer as there’s plenty of juice in these betting odds.

Latest Carlos Rodriguez Player Prop Odds

Goalscorer

Anytime

+575

First

+1500

Pick odds and lines correct at publication. Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. T&Cs apply. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Corners Prediction

Pumas Under 3.5 Corners -123

Pumas have failed to cover the 3.5 corners line in four straight games, while Cruz Azul have let the opposition have an average of 3.00 corners in their last 10 home matches. There’s the opportunity to go under the Pumas Team Corners line and we’re expecting this to happen, with odds of -123 available.

League Games

League Games

Last 10 Total For Against

Last 10 at Home Total For Against

Last 10 Away Total For Against

Cruz Azul

Total

10.00 6.00 4.00

Home

8.80 5.80 3.00

Away

9.90 5.00 4.90

Pumas

Total

9.90 2.90 7.00

Home

10.50 3.70 6.80

Away

9.60 2.40 7.20

Latest Corner Odds

Total Corners

Over 9.5

-100

Under 9.5

-149

Cruz Azul Corners

Over 5.5

-122

Under 5.5

-130

Pumas Corners

Over 3.5

+102

Under 3.5

-159

Most Corners

1

-263

X

+700

2

+245

Pick odds and lines correct at publication. Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. T&Cs apply. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Cruz Azul vs Pumas Odds

The odds and lines below are updated regularly and may differ from the prices shown in our picks, which are captured at the time of publication.

With the bookmakers affording them a 58% chance of winning, Cruz Azul might be a popular accumulator selection. They are priced at -141 to win this Clausura final. The +360 means that Pumas UNAM are seen as having the lowest probability of succeeding.

Betting Cruz Azul -0.75 on the Asian Handicap at -108 means splitting stake between -0.5 and -1.0. Therefore, a one-goal win over Pumas means a win and a push, with a 2+ goal victory meaning a full payout.

If you’re looking to bet on more than two goals, then Over 2.5 has the lowest price. An alternative angle is a Both Teams to Score bet and Yes has been chalked up at -141.

You can find hundreds of markets for every Liga MX match, with the top betting apps creating lots of different options. Check out the pre-game and In-Play selections before placing your football bets.

Full-Time Result

1

-141

X

+270

2

+360

Half-Time Result

1

+128

X

+120

2

+360

Double Chance

1X

-588

12

-417

X2

-100

Draw No Bet

1

-370

2

+220

Asian Handicap

1 Hcp -0.75

-108

2 Hcp +0.75

-119

Total Goals

Under 2.5

-109

Over 2.5

-127

Both Teams to Score

Yes

-141

No

-105

There is +120 available that Gabriel Matías Fernández finds the net at any stage. He is available at +330 to register the first goal which makes him favourite.

Gabriel Matías Fernández (Cruz Azul)

First

+330

Anytime

+120

Agustin Palavecino (Cruz Azul)

First

+600

Anytime

+230

José Paradela (Cruz Azul)

First

+650

Anytime

+250

Guillermo Martinez (Pumas)

First

+700

Anytime

+260

Robert Morales (Pumas)

First

+750

Anytime

+300

Carlos Rodolfo Rotondi (Cruz Azul)

First

+950

Anytime

+350

Luka Romero (Cruz Azul)

First

+1150

Anytime

+420

Andres Montano (Cruz Azul)

First

+1200

Anytime

+420

Angel Marquez (Cruz Azul)

First

+1200

Anytime

+475

Jordan Carrillo (Pumas)

First

+1400

Anytime

+500

Amaury García Moreno (Cruz Azul)

First

+1500

Anytime

+540

Pedro Vite (Pumas)

First

+1400

Anytime

+550

Uriel Antuna (Pumas)

First

+1600

Anytime

+550

Carlos Rodriguez (Cruz Azul)

First

+1500

Anytime

+575

Rodrigo Lopez (Pumas)

First

+1800

Anytime

+650

Gonzalo Piovi (Cruz Azul)

First

+1900

Anytime

+700

Cristian Jiménez (Cruz Azul)

First

+2000

Anytime

+750

Jesus Orozco (Cruz Azul)

First

+2200

Anytime

+750

Omar Campos (Cruz Azul)

First

+2200

Anytime

+800

Erik Lira (Cruz Azul)

First

+2200

Anytime

+800

Adalberto Carrasquilla (Pumas)

First

+2200

Anytime

+850

Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul)

First

+2200

Anytime

+900

Stats: Liga MX matches only
Cruz Azul have swerved defeat at Estadio Banorte in the previous four matches. La Máquina Celeste have racked up seven victories, two draws and one defeat in the previous 10 home games, netting an average of 1.90 goals per match and conceding 0.80.

Pumas have secured five wins, four draws and one defeat in the last 10 away matches, scoring an average of 1.70 goals per game and conceding 1.10.

The previous Estadio Banorte encounter involved a 3-2 Pumas win against Cruz Azul. In the past 7 H2H meetings at Estadio Banorte, Cruz Azul have won five and Pumas have triumphed in the remainder.

Last 10 League Games		W-D-L	G	GF	GA	O2.5	U2.5	B-Y	B-No
Cruz Azul Home Stats		7-2-1	2.70	1.90	0.80	6	4	6	4
Pumas Away Stats		5-4-1	2.80	1.70	1.10	4	6	5	5

• W-D-L = Wins-Draws-Losses
• G = Avg. Goals
• GF = Avg. Goals For
• GA = Avg. Goals Against
• O2.5 = Matches Over 2.5 Goals
• U2.5 = Matches Under 2.5 Goals
• B-Y = Matches BTTS Yes
• B-No = Matches BTTS No

Cruz Azul vs Pumas Lineups & Team News

Make sure to look over the Cruz Azul vs Pumas team news before betting. We’ll keep you posted with predicted and confirmed lineups for the Liga MX and all current injury news.

Cruz Azul Team Page Pumas Team Page

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