High-flying Cruz Azul gear up for an enticing Clasico Joven against Pumas UNAM on Saturday for matchday 11 of Liga MX Clausura. With five consecutive wins in the competition, La Maquina are currently leading the Clausura standings with 25 points, one ahead of Toluca as the race is heating up.

Adding more wind to their sails was a 3-2 defeat of Monterrey in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup round-of-16 tie, courtesy of two late goals from Gonzalo Piovi and Nicolas Ibanez.

That makes it seven wins in a row in all competitions for them, having also beaten Vancouver FC in the first round of the cup at the start of this blistering run, while the side remains unbeaten in their last 12 official games.

Meanwhile, Pumas are coming off the back of a narrow 1-0 win over Necaxa too, as Guillermo Ayala netted the only goal of the game in the 82nd minute to break the home side’s resistance.

It was also their first top-flight win in three games, having previously drawn to Club Tijuana (1-1) and lost to Toluca (3-2).

Pumas UNAM vs Cruz Azul Head-To-Head and Key Numbers

• There have been 83 clashes between the sides before, with 22 wins for Pumas and 36 for Cruz Azul.
• Pumas had beaten Cruz Azul in their last encounter. They haven’t won consecutively in the fixture since 1980, when they beat their city rivals over a two-legged CONCACAF game.
• The Auriazules are winless in their last four home games against Cruz Azul.
• Since the 0-0 draw in March 2024, Cruz Azul have scored in each of their next five meetings with Pumas UNAM.
• Cruz Azul have won their last five Liga MX games and remain unbeaten in their last nine. In all competitions, the run extends to 12 matches.

Pumas UNAM vs Cruz Azul Prediction

Los Celestes are breathing fire at the moment, winning their last couple of league games to make a title statement.

While Pumas are no pushovers either, their poor record in the fixture, coupled with a stop-start run, means the visitors have a chance of prevailing once again.

Prediction: Pumas UNAM 1-2 Cruz Azul

Pumas UNAM vs Cruz Azul Betting Tips

Tip 1 – Result: Cruz Azul to win

Tip 2 – Goals over/under 2.5: Over 2.5 goals

Tip 3 – Both teams to score: Yes