Cruz Azul vs. Santos Laguna Prediction, Match Preview, and Betting Tips, 17 August 2025

Get ready for an exciting clash as Cruz Azul takes on Santos Laguna at the iconic Estadio Azteca on 17 August 2025. This Liga MX fixture sees the home team, Cruz Azul, sitting 5th in the standings with 8 points, while Santos Laguna is close behind in 7th place with 6 points.

Cruz Azul has demonstrated strong form, underscored by their unbeaten streak in the last four matches, and they come into this game as the bookmakers’ favorite with odds of 1.24. Santos Laguna, on the other hand, has had mixed results recently but is known for scoring in 75% of its games this season.

Notably, Cruz Azul’s offensive firepower is spearheaded by top scorer Angel Sepulveda, who has netted 5 goals thus far. Keep an eye on Santos Laguna’s Ramiro Sordo, their top scorer with 2 goals.

Given Santos Laguna’s tendency to concede multiple goals and Cruz Azul’s robust home performance, our recommended bet is Cruz Azul -1.50 (AH). This match is poised to be a thrilling contest contributing to the broader Liga MX narrative, and every goal could make a significant difference in the standings.

Cruz Azul vs Santos Laguna Prediction & Betting Tip

Cruz Azul vs Santos Laguna Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Cruz Azul -1.50 (AH)	1.24

Cruz Azul is set to play at home against Santos Laguna in this Liga MX round. Backing Cruz Azul -1.50 (AH) is a surefire choice, considering their strong home form and robust offensive capabilities. The odds favor Cruz Azul, making this bet promising.

• Home Advantage: Cruz Azul traditionally performs well at Estadio Azteca.
• Recent Form: Cruz Azul hasn’t lost in their last four Liga MX matches.
• Defensive Weakness of Santos Laguna: They have conceded multiple goals in recent games.

Given these factors, betting on Cruz Azul -1.50 (AH) appears to be a solid option for this clash.

Cruz Azul vs Santos Laguna Odds

The odds for the upcoming clash between Cruz Azul and Santos Laguna heavily favor the home team. According to bookmakers, Cruz Azul is the favorite, with very short odds, making it a strong bet for those looking to wager on the match.

Cruz Azul vs Santos Laguna Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Cruz Azul	1.24
Draw	5.83
Santos Laguna	10.00

This disparity in odds underscores Cruz Azul’s superior form and advantage of playing at home. With their consistent performance in recent matches and Santos Laguna’s struggles in defense, betting on a Cruz Azul win seems a sensible choice.

With such odds, it’s clear the bookmakers are banking on Cruz Azul’s strong attack, spearheaded by Angel Sepulveda, to continue their dominant run. A high-scoring game is also on the cards, given both teams’ recent performances.

Cruz Azul Team Analysis

Cruz Azul Recent Performance

Cruz Azul comes into this fixture in excellent form, having secured three wins and two draws in their last five matches. Their recent results include:

• Atletico de San Luis 1 – 2 Cruz Azul (Liga MX Apertura)
• Cruz Azul 2 – 2 Colorado Rapids (Leagues Cup – Penalty shoot-out: 5 – 4)
• LA Galaxy 1 – 1 Cruz Azul (Leagues Cup – Penalty shoot-out: 7 – 8)
• Cruz Azul 0 – 7 Seattle Sounders FC (Leagues Cup)
• Cruz Azul 4 – 1 Leon (Liga MX Apertura)

Their offensive prowess is notable, averaging 4.40 goals per game over the last five encounters, despite a defensive lapse against the Seattle Sounders.

However, Cruz Azul’s inability to keep a clean sheet in these matches is an area of concern. This team’s top scorer, Angel Sepulveda, has been in sublime form, netting 5 goals this season. This performance is crucial as they look to build on their current 5th place standing with 8 points.

Cruz Azul Key Players

Cruz Azul’s attack will be spearheaded by their ace striker, Angel Sepulveda, who is currently the top scorer with 5 goals this season. Sepulveda has been instrumental in their recent success and will likely be the focal point of their attacking strategies against Santos Laguna.

Expected lineup for Cruz Azul:

• Goalkeeper: Kevin Mier
• Defenders: Willer Ditta, Erik Lira, Gonzalo Piovi
• Midfielders: Mateusz Bogusz, Ignacio Rivero, Jesus Orozco, Carlos Rodolfo Rotondi, Jose Paradela, Carlos Rodriguez
• Attacker: Angel Sepulveda

Mateusz Bogusz and Carlos Rodriguez will be key in the midfield, pushing forward to support Sepulveda while maintaining defensive duties.

Watch out for crucial battles such as Sepulveda vs Santos’ defenders, and midfield duels between Mateusz Bogusz and Fran Villalba. These matchups could very well decide the outcome of the game. With their robust lineup and home advantage, Cruz Azul looks poised for a strong performance.

Cruz Azul Suspensions & Injuries

Cruz Azul heads into the match with a couple of injury concerns. Andres Montano is out with a cruciate ligament injury and is not expected to return until late January 2026. Gabriel Fernandez is also on the sidelines with a knee injury and remains doubtful for this fixture.

The absence of Montano could impact the team’s defensive stability, while Fernandez’s potential unavailability might reduce their attacking options. However, with a strong squad depth and the presence of key players like Angel Sepulveda and Carlos Rodriguez, Cruz Azul should have enough firepower to cope with these injuries.

Despite these setbacks, the team is expected to perform well, especially with their current form and home advantage at the Estadio Azteca.

Cruz Azul Tactics and Formation

Cruz Azul Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-2-1
• Key Forward: Angel Sepulveda
• Midfield Control: Carlos Rodriguez, Mateusz Bogusz
• Defensive Setup: Willer Ditta, Erik Lira, Gonzalo Piovi

Cruz Azul typically employs a 3-4-2-1 formation, focusing on a balanced approach between attack and defense. Angel Sepulveda spearheads the attack, supported by creative midfielders like Carlos Rodriguez and Mateusz Bogusz, who will be pivotal in both offensive thrusts and defensive duties.

The defensive line, comprising Willer Ditta, Erik Lira, and Gonzalo Piovi, will need to fortify against Santos Laguna’s counters. One notable strategy is Cruz Azul’s aggressive play during the 61-75-minute interval, often leading to crucial goals. Despite recent issues in maintaining clean sheets, their offensive firepower usually compensates for defensive lapses.

Santos Laguna Team Analysis

Santos Laguna Recent Performance

Santos Laguna has had a challenging run in their recent fixtures, capturing only one win out of their last five matches. Their recent form is as follows:

• Santos Laguna 1 – 0 CD Guadalajara (Liga MX Apertura)
• LA Galaxy 4 – 0 Santos Laguna (Leagues Cup)
• Seattle Sounders FC 2 – 1 Santos Laguna (Leagues Cup)
• Colorado Rapids 2 – 1 Santos Laguna (Leagues Cup)
• Puebla 1 – 0 Santos Laguna (Liga MX Apertura)

Santos Laguna’s attack has struggled, averaging just 0.60 goals scored per game over the last five matches. Their defensive record isn’t much better, having managed only one clean sheet in the same period. Despite these issues, the team’s resilience was evident in their win against CD Guadalajara.

They sit 7th in the Liga MX standings with 6 points and will hope to improve their form against a tough opponent like Cruz Azul.

Santos Laguna Key Players

Santos Laguna will rely heavily on their top scorer, Ramiro Sordo, who has scored 2 goals this season. Despite the team’s recent struggles, Sordo’s form will be crucial if they are to upset Cruz Azul.

Expected lineup for Santos Laguna:

• Goalkeeper: Carlos Acevedo
• Defenders: Jose Abella, Oscar Ortega, Kevin Balanta, Bruno Amione
• Midfielders: Aldo Lopez, Javier Guemez, Fran Villalba, Jordan Carrillo
• Forwards: Ramiro Sordo, Bruno Barticciotto

Key battles to watch out for include Ramiro Sordo against Cruz Azul’s solid defensive line led by Willer Ditta. Additionally, the midfield duel between Santos Laguna’s Fran Villalba and Cruz Azul’s Carlos Rodriguez could have a significant impact on the game’s outcome.

Despite their recent form, Santos Laguna’s individual talents could pose a challenge, especially if they manage to tighten their defense and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Santos Laguna Suspensions & Injuries

Santos Laguna will head into the upcoming match against Cruz Azul with a relatively clean bill of health, but they do have a minor concern. Midfielder Pedro Aquino is dealing with a tooth injury and is listed as doubtful for the fixture.

Aquino’s potential absence could hinder Santos Laguna’s midfield stability and disrupt their defensive transitions effectively, especially given that he plays a pivotal role in their midfield dynamics.

However, with the rest of the squad fit, Santos Laguna can still field a strong lineup. The key will be to manage the gaps left by Aquino efficiently.

Overall, his injury might slightly disrupt their game plan, but the team has enough depth to compensate and possibly pull off a surprising performance.

Santos Laguna Tactics and Formation

Santos Laguna Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-3-1-2
• Key Forward: Ramiro Sordo
• Midfield Structure: Aldo Lopez, Javier Guemez, Fran Villalba
• Defensive Setup: Jose Abella, Oscar Ortega, Kevin Balanta, Bruno Amione

Santos Laguna tends to utilize a flexible 4-3-1-2 formation, aiming to secure the midfield and exploit spaces through quick transitions. Their key forward, Ramiro Sordo, is likely to lead the attack, with support from Fran Villalba playing in an advanced midfield role.

Defensively, they rely on a solid back four led by Oscar Ortega and Bruno Amione. The midfield trio of Aldo Lopez, Javier Guemez, and Fran Villalba will be crucial in both defensive duties and creating opportunities upfront.

One notable strategy is their focus on resilience and counter-attacks, particularly effective against high-press teams. However, their recent inability to keep clean sheets remains a concern, which they will need to address to hold off Cruz Azul’s potent offense.

Cruz Azul vs Santos Laguna Head-to-Head Statistics

The head-to-head statistics between Cruz Azul and Santos Laguna illustrate a competitive history:

• Santos Laguna 0 – 1 Cruz Azul (2025-02-20, Liga MX Clausura)
• Cruz Azul 2 – 0 Santos Laguna (2024-11-03, Liga MX Apertura)
• Santos Laguna 3 – 0 Cruz Azul (2024-03-10, Liga MX Clausura)
• Cruz Azul 2 – 2 Santos Laguna (2023-08-20, Liga MX Apertura)
• Cruz Azul 3 – 2 Santos Laguna (2023-04-30, Liga MX Clausura)

Cruz Azul has the upper hand, having won three out of these last five encounters. Santos Laguna managed to secure one solid victory and one draw. The recent matches showcase varied results, with high-scoring contests and close-fought games.

This historical data indicates that while Cruz Azul has an edge, Santos Laguna cannot be entirely written off. Their victories show they can cause problems for Cruz Azul, and this features as a key dynamic for the upcoming match. This legacy of close battles ensures that fans can expect another thrilling encounter.

Odds accurate as of 15.08.2025 04:01, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.