It’s a top-of-the table clash between Liga MX sides CF Monterrey and Pachuca at the Estadio BBVA on Saturday night.
Rayados have yet to suffer a defeat in the Clausura season, winning the first three of their five games played and picking up two draws with one coming against Concacaf giants Club America. US men’s national team forward Brandon Vazquez has been in fine form, bagging three goals in his first five appearances to propel Rayados to second place in the standings with 11 points.
On the other side of the matchup, Pachuca have stormed up the Apertura table with four wins in their first five games of the campaign. They’ve lost once, a 3-1 defeat to Pumas, but have since rebounded with three consecutive victories to sit atop the division with 12 points.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Monterrey vs Pachuca.
*Sunday 11 February
CF Monterrey vs Pachuca H2H record
Current Form (all competitions)
|
Country |
TV Channel/live Stream |
|---|---|
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United Kingdom |
Univision, TUDN |
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United States |
Univision, TUDN |
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Mexico |
Univision, TUDN |
New signing Gerardo Arteaga, who joined from Genk, made his debut in Rayados’ 4-1 triumph over Comunicaciones FC in the Champions Cup.
Monterrey boss Fernando ‘Tano’ Ortiz has no injury problems within his squad, meaning he should have his first choice starting XI on Saturday night.
CF Monterrey predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Andrada; Aguirre, Guzman, Vegas, Gallardo; Romo, Govea; Meza, Canales, Corona; Vazquez.
Midfielder Israel Luna is a doubt with a knee problem, while fellow midfielder Celso Ortiz is also set to miss a return to his former club with a knee injury of his own.
Pachuca predicted lineup (4-3-3): Moreno; Barreto, Lopez, Aceves, Cabral; Hernandez, Pedraza, Bautista; Sanchez, Idrissi, Rondon.
Both teams will be eager to strike early to set the tone as the winner will solidify themselves at the top of the Clausura table.
Rayados are unbeaten at home so far this season, and that should stay the same this Saturday as Ortiz has a fully-fit squad to work with with players like Sergio Canales proving to be the difference.
It’ll be a close one, but Rayados will take all three points over Pachuca with Vazquez on the score sheet once again.
Prediction: CF Monterrey 2-1 Pachuca
