Pumas UNAM vs Mazatlán FC: An Impressive Start Followed By A Slip-Up

• Pumas UNAM take on Mazatlán FC this week at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario
• Mazatlán are winless so far and have just two points. 
• Pumas UNAM are unbeaten but have picked up just one win

Pumas UNAM vs Mazatlán FC Odds

The odds in red are the best odds available at the time. Click on the odds below and place your bet!

Pumas UNAM vs Mazatlán FC Pick

Pumas UNAM to win

Pick made on 07/26/2022 at 10.30 PM EST

Pumas UNAM vs Mazatlán FC Prediction

Mazatlán FC have had the upper hand against Pumas UNAM in their recent meetings but that streak might not continue this week as the home side are in better form, and Mazatlán themselves are winless so far this season. In the last five meetings between these teams, Pumas UNAM have picked up one win, the same as Mazatlán FC. The three other matches have ended in a draw, including the last two.

When the two sides met earlier this year in Clausura, the match ended 1-1. Jorge Ruvalcaba handed Pumas the lead in the 73rd minute, but an unfortunate own goal from Arturo Ortiz saw the scores level seven minutes later.

Last Time Pumas Won

The last time Pumas won in this fixture was back when the two sides met in the 2021 edition of Clausura. Facundo Waller scored the opening goal of the game in the 11th minute, while Carlos Gutiérrez and Emanuel Montejano got on the scoresheet in the second half to seal a comfortable 3-0 win.

While Mazatlán had 57 percent of the possession, it was Pumas who had more chances. The home side took 15 shots, with five on target compared to six shots and one on target for the away side.

Mazatlán’s last win over Pumas had a dramatic last-minute goal to seal the comeback win. Luis Quintana scored in the 6th minute to hand Pumas the lead and the scoreline remained 1-0 for the first half.  At the start of the second 45, Rodrigo Millar got on the scoresheet in the 47th minute to level things up.

Both sides were keen on getting all three points and went all-out in attack, but were unable to break each other down. Miguel Sansores got a golden chance in the 91st minute to give Mazatlán the win, and he made no mistake.

Pumas UNAM Are Unbeaten But Have Just One Win

Pumas UNAM finished 7th in Apertura last season, but only managed to sneak into the Clausura playoffs with a last day win. They were 11th in the Clausura table and failed to make it past the reclassification round.

To ensure they do better this time around, Pumas have made some good additions in the summer transfer window. Gustavo del Prete has been signed from Estudiantes, while Higor Meritão and Gil Alcalá have also joined from Ferroviária and Club Tijuana respectively. Eduardo Salvio, Adrián Aldrete, Dani Alves, César Huerta, Marco García, Jorge Ruvalcaba and José Galindo have also been added to the squad on free transfers and promotions.

There have been a few outgoing players as well, with Alan Mozo joining Chivas and Omar Islas moving to Pumas Tabasco. Rogério, Sebastián Saucedo, Alfredo Talavera, and Favio Álvarez have been released, while Washington Corozo has returned to his parent club following the expiry of his loan deal.

An Impressive Start Followed By A Slip-Up

Pumas started their season with a 1-1 draw against Club Tijuana at home. They were behind in the 12th minute after Lucas Rodríguez converted from the spot, but Diogo scored early in the second half to level things up. Pumas were handed a penalty in the 58th minute, but VAR ruled it out.

Andres Lillin’s men were off to a stunning start when they faced Club Leon. Juan Dinenno scored from the spot in the fifth minute, and things got better as Osvaldo Rodríguez was sent off for Leon in the 21st minute.

Pumas made the most of their extra man and took a 3-0 lead in the 52nd minute. Gustavo del Prete and Eduardo Salvio got on the scoresheet for them and they were in complete control of the game.  However, things changed dramatically after Lucas Di Yorio pulled one back for Leon in the 53rd minute. Joel Campbell made it 3-2 before the hour-mark, and Di Yorio completed the comeback in the 78th minute. Both sides could not score more in the final 12 minutes of the match, and it ended 3-3.

A Win At Last

Pumas finally got their first win of the season when they hosted Club Necaxa in the 3rd game of the season. Adrián Aldrete scored the lone goal of the match in the 18th minute and the home side held on for all three points.

Pachuca proved to be a tough opponent for Pumas next, but they held on for a goalless draw. Adrián Aldrete was sent off in the final minutes, while Luis Chávez was sent off for Pachuca in the dying seconds of the game.

Injuries And Suspensions

Adrián Aldrete is suspended while Arturo Ortiz is out injured.

Mazatlán FC Are Winless And Sit Second From The Bottom In The Table

Mazatlán failed to make it to the playoffs in the Apertura last year as they finished 13th in the table. They finished level on points with 12th placed Atletico de San Luis, who occupied the final playoff spot, but had a worse goal difference and failed to make it to the reclassification round.

They were in a similar situation in the Clausura season this year, but won their last four games to edge into the top 12. They finished 12th with 21 points, same as 13th placed Club Leon, but had a better goal difference this time around. It all counted for little, however, as they could not make it to the quarterfinals after a loss to Puebla in the penalty shootout.

To take the next step and bolster their squad, Mazatlán went out and signed players in the transfer season. Josué Colmán, Yoel Bárcenas, Fernando Illescas, Enrique Cedillo, and Efraín Orona were signed while Francisco López, Andrés Montaño and Raúl Camacho were promoted from the U20 side.

Already Falling Behind

However, things have not gone as planned for Mazatlán on the pitch this season. They were beaten 4-2 by Puebla in the opening game and they could not avenge their Clausura playoffs elimination. Eduard Bello and Gabriel Lopez scored for Mazatlán, but Israel Reyes, Fernando Aristeguieta, Martín Barragán and Amaury Escoto won it 4-2 for Puebla.

André-Pierre Gignac scored the lone goal in the next match as Tigres defeated Mazatlán 1-0 despite going down to 10 men. Sebastián Córdova was sent off early in the second half, but the home side could not muster a comeback.

Mazatlán did well in their games against Pachuca and took the lead in the second half. Nicolás Benedetti scored within the first 60 seconds of the restart but Nicolás Ibáñez scored in stoppage time to level things up. Gonzalo Sosa helped Mazatlán take the lead against Atletico de San Luis in the next game via a penalty in the 36th minute. But they could not hold to the lead for long and Abel Hernández made it 1-1 three minutes later. That proved to be the final goal of the match and it ended in a draw.

Injuries And Suspensions

All players are fit and available for Mazatlán this week.

How to Watch Pumas UNAM vs Mazatlán FC