- Team form: Atlas sit 5th in the Liga MX 2026-2027 table with 3 points from 1 match, while Monterrey are 7th with the same 3 points from 1 game.
- Head-to-head: Atlas have failed to beat Monterrey in their last 3 home meetings between the two clubs.
- Recent record: Monterrey have won 3 of the last 5 head-to-head matchups, drawing the other 2.
An early-season clash of the titans
CF Atlas Guadalajara welcome CF Rayados de Monterrey to the Estadio Jalisco, Mexico, on Sunday in a Liga MX 2026-2027 match that could go either way. Atlas boss Hernan Crespo, who took the reins on 16 July 2026, has already made his mark on the team with a proactive 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 formation that focuses on vertical passing and aggressive, high-pressing play.
Matias Almeyda took the helm on 1 July 2026, but there's still an identity to this Rayados team, who build from the back and press opponents into mistakes in a high-tempo 4-3-3 system that relies on controlling the wide channels and transitioning into attack as soon as the ball is won.
- The hosts have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 2 of their last 5 matches in all competitions, and their recent goals have been fired by a resurgent Arturo Gonzalez.
- The forward has scored 3 of Atlas's 6 goals across the last 5 matches.
- However, they've won 0 and drawn 1 of their previous 2 home matches and so the Estadio Jalisco's home edge hasn't been quite there just yet.
- Monterrey have also been in mixed form, winning 2, drawing 1 and losing 2 of their last 5 matches across all competitions.
Going for goals
Key players
Lucas Ocampos is their biggest threat, scoring 2 goals in 1 appearance in Liga MX 2026/2027, while Diego Rossi has provided the spark in midfield with 1 assist in 1 appearance. Aldo Rocha is their main goal scorer in Liga MX 2026/2027, scoring 1 goal in 1 match, and Gustavo Ferrareis has also added a touch of bite with 1 assist in 1 Liga MX 2026/2027 appearance.
Tactics and predictions
This should be a fiery tactical clash between two coaches who're trying to get their clubs to play – fast-paced attacks down the half-spaces for Atlas and a suffocating, intense pressing style from Monterrey. One mistake during the pressing or one quick transition could see this match swing in either direction, although Monterrey have the better record in this fixture and that's why we're taking them as our main pick.
Atlas come in at 2.6, Monterrey at 2.67 and the draw at 3.3 for a game that could well end up tight, but we'll take the 'draw no bet' in Monterrey's favour and go for the under 2.5 goals bet at 1.78 and both teams to score no at 1.98 to complete our predictions for this match.
