- Odds: Chivas are slight favorites with odds of 2.15, against 3.45 for Cruz Azul and 3.4 for the draw.
- First leg: Chivas drew 2-2 in the first leg of their semifinal matchup with Cruz Azul in Clausura 2026, leaving this matchup up for grabs.
- Season table: Chivas finished second in the Clausura 2026 regular season with 36 points to Cruz Azul's 33.
Chivas aim to maintain momentum
The Estadio Jalisco will host this Mexican League semifinal matchup, which could not be any closer after a 2-2 draw in the Clausura 2026 semifinal first leg between Cruz Azul and Chivas. With the aggregate score tied and Chivas holding the tiebreaker advantage for finishing second in the season, a draw or one-goal victory on Sunday will send the Guadalajara-based side through to the final.
Cruz Azul must come away with an away goal to get into the last matchup. The matchup could not be any more finely poised, but Chivas are arguably in a stronger position to capitalize on that with their home field advantage, better form and the tiebreaker.
Gabriel Milito’s tactical discipline and integration of academy talent since taking the helm has seen Chivas’ identity restored and the team finish in the top-two of the Clausura 2026 table, something that has set them up nicely for the playoffs.
Chivas’ base structure has been a back three with wing-backs. Óscar Whalley has been an absolute rock at the back and the wide men allow Chivas to play patient, possession-based soccer, where they dominate the ball and press in waves when they lose it. It’s a system that suits Chivas’ players and Milito has been rewarded for his patience with some of the academy talent finally shining through to make the squad a serious threat.
Chivas have star man in Santiago Sandoval
Chivas attacking options
Santiago Sandoval has been the breakout star for Chivas this season, scoring a brace in the second leg of the quarter-final against Tigres after his side had lost the first matchup.
While Sandoval is the one catching headlines, Armando ‘Hormiga’ González and Ricardo Marín have been regular goalscorers and providers since the start of the season. Chivas are strong at home, beating Tigres 2-0 in their last game at the Estadio Jalisco and thumping Puebla 5-0 in the same venue back in April.
Cruz Azul's form and approach
Cruz Azul will arrive in Guadalajara in top form, winning three of their last five competitive matches, a run which includes a double over Atlas in the knockouts and a 4-1 demolition of Necaxa.
Interim boss Joel Huiqui has had an immediate impact on the club, implementing his pragmatic vertical tactics and instilling confidence throughout the squad. Cruz Azul press in packs, transition quickly and are a serious attacking threat at this level, as the home crowd found out to their cost last weekend.
Close matchup expected in Guadalajara
Cruz Azul have dominated the recent matchup record, winning the majority of the last 10 - 20 meetings across all competitions and beating Chivas 2-1 and 3-2 since the beginning of 2025.
Carlos Rodríguez has been a constant threat in the middle of the park, providing goals and creating space for others, while José Paradela has been a vital link-up man. Christian Ebere is the best finisher on the field and he converted a late penalty in the semifinal first leg.
- The bet on over 2.5 goals is being made at 1.78, which is a fair reflection of the two teams involved, the fact that it’s a semifinal and a return matchup at that.
- The draw and both teams to score market is the main selection for Sunday’s matchup in Guadalajara, as the visitors have conceded in each of their last three away games but still boast plenty of attacking threat.
- A 1-1 result will see Chivas through to the next round, but we’re taking the safe option in the both teams to score and draw market, with a smaller stakes bet going on a 2-1 win for the home side, as it is tight at the top of the table.
