Pachuca vs. Pumas UNAM: Can Pumas Pull Off a Rare Road Victory?

The second instalment of the play-in-round will take place at Estadio Hidalgo as Pachuca hosts Pumas UNAM. Their most recent encounter saw Pumas collect all three points in a 3-1 victory back in late January. Head-to-head this fixture is level in their previous 31 clashes as both sides have been victorious on eight occasions while splitting the points 15 times.

Pachuca comes into this fixture unbeaten in their last three games in all competitions. Finishing with 29 points which were good enough for seventh place in the Clausura table. Los Tuzos own the ninth-best home form in the Clausura picking up 16 points in nine games.

Meanwhile, for Pumas, they are heating up at the right time heading into Thursday's clash. Their last five matches see them with no defeats and picking up three clean sheets along the way. Away from home has been a struggle for the visitors in this affair, suffering four defeats and only picking up one victory in eight away contests in 2024.

Here, we will break down the betting odds and share our favourite picks for Pachuca vs. Pumas UNAM.

Pachuca vs. Pumas UNAM Betting Odds for Thursday, May 2

The books are giving the home side Pachuca the advantage here in the draw no-bet market. Pachuca is priced at -130 to win or draw, with a draw returning our stake as push. For Pumas UNAM they’re listed at -110.

Odds taken from BetMGM Sportsbook. Head to BetMGM to claim up to $1,500 paid back in bonus bets.

Pachuca vs. Pumas UNAM Betting Predictions

Pachuca

Finishing in a four-way tie in the Golden Boot race, Jose Salomon Rondon rounded off a splendid 2024 finishing with eight goals. Rondon was a consistent threat around the opposing goalkeepers in the Clausura, racking up a total of 60 shots toward the target with 22 finding its way to the net.

The lead setup man on this roster is enjoying life in Liga MX as Oussama Idrissi led the competition in the assists category with eight. The 28-year-old since arriving in Mexico has put up monster numbers in all competitions producing six goals and helping out with 14 assists in 28 games played with Pachuca.

Pumas UNAM

Joining the squad in the winter, Guillermo Martinez made a smooth transition and ended up as the club's leading goal scorer in 2024 after the completion of the regular season. Martinez found the back of the net six times on 40 total shots he seized on. His last outing against Pachuca Martinez was left off the stat sheet failing to register any shots towards the target in 90 minutes of action.

Cesar Huerta will be leaned upon to help Pumas get on the scoresheet Thursday evening. The 23-year-old chalked up seven assists in 1195 minutes of playing time in the Clausura. Last weekend Huerta appeared in all 90 minutes, finished with two shots and went 20-for-25 in successful passing attempts.

Pachuca vs. Pumas UNAM - My Pick

The road results in Pumas collected in the regular season were less than impressive. That said now it’s the playoffs and the slate is wiped clean. Pumas have had Pachuca’s number in recent memory and matchup nicely with them only losing to Pachuca once in their last 10 matches. Pachuca are participating in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Tuesday evening, on two days rest they will be fatigued, and it will be a huge advantage for the visitors in this spot. Pumas have picked up a win or draw in 50 percent of their away fixtures in 2024, with the number the books are giving Pumas, it’s worth a shot to take the away club in this battle.

Pachuca vs. Pumas UNAM pick: Pumas UNAM draw no bet -110 at BetMGM

Bet on UNAM draw no bet at (-110) at BetMGM 

How to Watch Pachuca vs. Pumas UNAM

When: Thursday, May 2, 11.15 p.m ET

Where: Estadio Hidalgo

TV: Univision, Telemundo, Fox Sports, ESPN, Vix and Sling TV