Cruz Azul vs. Monterrey Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 26 October 2025

As Liga MX heads into its 15th round, this upcoming clash between Cruz Azul and Monterrey promises to be a thrilling encounter. Both teams are in the top echelons of the table, with Cruz Azul sitting in 5th place with 29 points and Monterrey just slightly ahead in 3rd with 30 points.

Cruz Azul, guided by Nicolas Larcamón, has demonstrated remarkable home resilience with only one loss in their last twelve games. Despite leaking goals in the first half, they’ve often bounced back, particularly strong in the game’s final quarter. Key striker Angel Sepulveda, with 6 goals this season, is expected to lead their offensive efforts.

Monterrey, managed by Domènec Torrent, brings an attacking flair with German Berterame netting 9 goals this season. However, the squad faces injury concerns with key players such as Fidel Ambriz and Ricardo Chavez doubtful for the game.

Given both teams’ strong form and their history of closely contested matches, our recommended bet is a draw. These sides have shared the spoils in 14 of their last 41 encounters, making this a very likely outcome.

Expect an intense battle at the Olimpico Universitario, where every point counts in the race for Liga MX glory.

Cruz Azul vs Monterrey Prediction & Betting Tip

Cruz Azul vs Monterrey Prediction
Betting Tip
Draw – Odds: 3.20

The Liga MX matchup between Cruz Azul and Monterrey is expected to be a tightly contested battle, making a draw the most likely outcome.

• Both teams are in excellent form, with Cruz Azul having just one loss in their last twelve matches and Monterrey only slightly ahead in the standings.
• Historical precedence supports this prediction, as 14 of their previous 41 encounters have ended in a draw.
• Moderating the impact of injuries, Monterrey’s key players’ absences could balance the scales further, making it harder for them to snatch a decisive win.

Considering these factors, a draw is a well-balanced and valuable betting tip for this fixture.

Cruz Azul vs Monterrey Odds

The upcoming Liga MX clash between Cruz Azul and Monterrey is poised to be a close affair, and the odds reflect the balanced nature of this matchup.

Cruz Azul vs Monterrey Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Cruz Azul Win	1.95
Draw	3.53
Monterrey Win	3.44

Both teams are in strong form, making it difficult to pick a clear favourite. Cruz Azul, with home advantage, are slightly favoured by the bookmakers, yet Monterrey’s odds suggest they’re not far behind.

A draw offers significant value, given the historical context of their encounters and the current form both teams are in. This balance in odds underlines the expectation for a highly competitive match, with neither team willing to give an inch in their pursuit of crucial points.

Cruz Azul Team Analysis

Recent Performance

• Necaxa 1 – 1 Cruz Azul
• Cruz Azul 2 – 1 CF America
• Tigres 1 – 1 Cruz Azul
• Tijuana 2 – 0 Cruz Azul
• Cruz Azul 2 – 2 Queretaro FC

Cruz Azul’s recent run of form has been solid if unspectacular, featuring two draws, two wins, and a single defeat in their last five matches. Sitting fifth on the Liga MX table with 29 points, they have shown remarkable resilience at home, losing just one of their last twelve fixtures.

Despite scoring in 86% of their matches this season, their attack managed an average of 1.20 goals in the last five games. Defensively, they haven’t kept a clean sheet in this period, indicating vulnerability at the back.

Their propensity to concede most goals between the 31st and 45th minutes will need addressing, but their knack for scoring late in games provides a silver lining as they face Monterrey.

Key Players

Cruz Azul’s chances against Monterrey will largely hinge on the performance of their top scorer, Angel Sepulveda, who has netted 6 goals this season. His ability to capitalize on opportunities will be crucial, especially against a Monterrey defense that has shown vulnerabilities in recent matches.

In midfield, the combination of Amaury Morales and Lorenzo Faravelli will be key in dictating the tempo and providing support to the attack. Their battle against Monterrey’s midfielders like Oliver Torres and Sergio Canales will be pivotal to controlling the game’s flow.

Expected lineup for Cruz Azul:

• Goalkeeper: Kevin Mier
• Right back: Omar Campos
• Right center back: Willer Ditta
• Central back: Amaury Garcia
• Left center back: Jesus Orozco
• Left back: Ángel Jeremy Márquez
• Right midfielder: José Antonio Paradela
• Right central midfielder: Amaury Morales
• Left central midfielder: Lorenzo Faravelli
• Left midfielder: Luka Romero
• Center forward: Angel Baltazar Sepulveda

Suspensions & Injuries

Cruz Azul heads into this clash with Monterrey relatively unscathed in terms of injuries and suspensions, which is a positive sign for their aspirations in the Liga MX standings. The sole absence from their squad is Andres Montaño, who is sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury and expected to return only after late January 2026.

While this is a significant blow, particularly considering the approaching critical stages of the season, Cruz Azul has generally coped well without Montaño’s presence, displaying depth and resilience in their squad.

With no suspensions to worry about, Nicolas Larcamón can field a nearly full-strength side, ensuring that Cruz Azul will be in their best possible shape for this crucial encounter against Monterrey. This should bolster their confidence, aiming to secure valuable points at the Olimpico Universitario.

Tactics and Formation

Cruz Azul Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 5-4-1
• Key Forward: Angel Sepulveda
• Midfield Core: José Antonio Paradela, Amaury Morales, Lorenzo Faravelli, Luka Romero
• Defensive Set-up: Five-man backline aims to provide solidity, yet a clean sheet has been elusive in their recent outings.
• Offensive Strategy: Focused on building up the attack through the flanks and capitalising on late-game opportunities, as evident by their tendency to score most goals in the 76-90 minute interval.

The formation suggests a focus on defensive stability while strategically leveraging late offensive pushes. Under Nicolas Larcamón, Cruz Azul have displayed great resilience at home and are likely to continue this trend, aiming to exploit Monterrey’s defensive gaps, especially given their injury woes.

Monterrey Team Analysis

Recent Performance

• Monterrey 4 – 2 FC Juárez
• Monterrey 1 – 1 Club Universidad Nacional
• Tijuana 2 – 2 Monterrey
• Monterrey 1 – 0 Santos Laguna
• Toluca 6 – 2 Monterrey

Monterrey comes into this game after an eventful stretch of matches, holding onto third place in Liga MX with 30 points. Their recent form includes two wins, two draws, and one significant loss in their last five outings. This period saw them average 2.00 goals per game, indicating a potent attack but a somewhat leaky defense. Despite maintaining one clean sheet, the team has conceded multiple goals in several fixtures, including a hefty defeat to Toluca.

Playing against Cruz Azul, Monterrey will look to strengthen their defensive resilience while relying on their offensive firepower, led by German Berterame. Their form makes them a formidable opponent, even with the key players’ absences that might affect their balance.

Key Players

Monterrey’s attacking efforts will heavily depend on their top scorer, German Berterame, who has already netted 9 goals this season. His duel with Cruz Azul’s defenders will be one of the key battles on the pitch. In midfield, Sergio Canales and Oliver Torres are tasked with controlling the tempo and connecting with Berterame to unlock Cruz Azul’s backline.

The absence of defensive stalwarts like Sergio Ramos due to injury might see Monterrey’s defenders under more pressure, particularly from Cruz Azul’s Angel Sepulveda.

Expected lineup for Monterrey:

• Goalkeeper: Luis Cardenas
• Right back: Stefan Medina
• Right center back: Sergio Ramos
• Left center back: Víctor Andrés Guzmán
• Left back: Gerardo Arteaga
• Right defensive midfielder: Michell Rodriguez
• Left defensive midfielder: Oliver Torres
• Right wing: Germán Berterame
• Attacking midfielder: Sergio Canales
• Left wing: Lucas Ariel Ocampos
• Center forward: Jorge Rodriguez

Suspensions & Injuries

Monterrey will need to navigate this crucial fixture with several key players potentially sidelined due to injuries. Fidel Ambriz, Ricardo Chavez, and Erick Aguirre are all doubtful for the match, each dealing with different leg injuries that affect their participation.

The absence of these players could significantly impact Monterrey’s balance, particularly in defense and midfield. Fidel Ambriz’s knee injury, Ricardo Chavez’s hamstring issue, and Erick Aguirre’s thigh strain mean that backup players may have to step up in their places.

These injuries could leave Monterrey vulnerable, providing Cruz Azul with opportunities to exploit these gaps and dominate the midfield battles.

Tactics and Formation

Monterrey Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: German Berterame
• Midfield Engine: Oliver Torres, Michell Rodriguez, and Sergio Canales
• Defensive Setup: Four-man backline, but defensive stability might be compromised due to injuries.
• Offensive Strategy: Utilising the flanks with Lucas Ariel Ocampos and German Berterame to stretch the play and create scoring opportunities.

Monterrey’s approach revolves around their potent attack, having averaged 2.00 goals in their last five games. Their midfield trio, spearheaded by Sergio Canales, aims to facilitate fluid transitions and maintain control of the game’s tempo. However, defensive concerns are present, as evident by their susceptibility to conceding goals and recent injuries to key players. Monterrey will look to outscore their opponents while attempting to mask defensive frailties, especially in the absence of key defenders.

Cruz Azul vs Monterrey Head-to-Head Statistics

In their last five encounters, Cruz Azul and Monterrey have produced close and competitive matches:

• Cruz Azul 1 – 1 Monterrey (09/03/2025) Liga MX Clausura
• Monterrey 0 – 4 Cruz Azul (14/07/2024) Liga MX Apertura
• Cruz Azul 1 – 2 Monterrey (20/05/2024) Liga MX Clausura Playoff
• Monterrey 0 – 1 Cruz Azul (17/05/2024) Liga MX Clausura Playoff
• Cruz Azul 2 – 1 Monterrey (07/04/2024) Liga MX Clausura

These games underline how tightly matched these teams are. With three draws and each side securing two victories, their head-to-head record is balanced, reflecting their competitive nature. This historical context, coupled with their current standings, suggests a tight contest once again. Given their penchant for drawing games, this backdrop strongly supports the anticipation of another closely fought match at the Olimpico Universitario.

Odds accurate as of 24.10.2025 04:06, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.