- Team form: Monterrey are winless in five competitive games across all competitions, drawing three and losing two.
- Opposition form: Pachuca arrive in Monterrey in red-hot form, unbeaten in five, winning three and drawing two in the last month.
Sunday’s showdown between two of Liga MX’s most historic clubs should see both teams score
Sunday’s Liga MX showdown at the Estadio BBVA is one of the season’s most intriguing matchups with both Rayados de Monterrey and Pachuca CF in desperate need of victory to advance their very different agendas. Monterrey, marooned in 13th place on 15 points, must win to keep their playoff hopes alive while Pachuca can guarantee a top-four finish with a victory to maintain their status as one of the most impressive teams in the Clausura 2026.
Pachuca have collected 28 points after 14 rounds, good for third and a likely Liguilla qualification. Esteban Solari has done a marvellous job to make Pachuca contenders for the title in what was always going to be a transition season for them. Solari’s high-pressing, attack-minded philosophy has paid dividends in recent weeks.
Tuzos are in top form as they take on Rayados
Tactical battle
Sunday’s clash will be a tactical chess match of styles as Monterrey, usually slow-builders with the ball, will attempt to outpace Pachuca’s pressing game while the Tuzos will attempt to disrupt Monterrey’s rhythm. Solari has tweaked his team to perfection in recent weeks, particularly in his use of wide players to pull defenders out of position and his decision to get his midfielders into the box late to join the attack.
Pachuca are a potent force in transition and should have a little more in hand than Monterrey, who have been conceding multiple goals of late.
Match conditions & odds
The odds for both teams to score on Sunday evening seem a tad high at 1.53, but we are taking that price because the conditions at the Estadio BBVA should be perfect for attacking soccer on a mild evening when the atmosphere will be charged for a crucial end-of-phase encounter.
Monterrey are missing their key playmaker
Nicolás Sánchez took over as Monterrey manager in March 2026 during a turbulent period. Sánchez has tried to make Monterrey a team that builds from the back and creates chances through their midfield, but injuries and inconsistency among his squad have led to a downward spiral that the Argentine must stop if he is to keep his job.
The home team can avoid defeat if they play their best soccer and stay compact at the back, but Pachuca are in better form and can get the win here, which is our main selection. Draw no bet covers a 1-1 outcome, but our preference is to take a chance on a 2-1 away win or a 1-0 Pachuca win.
- Lucas Ocampos remains Monterrey’s most reliable outlet in attack, but Jesús ‘Tecatito’ Corona and Sergio Canales carry the responsibility of unlocking defenses.
- Pachuca have a midfield dynamo in Victor Alfonso Guzman, fresh from his hat-trick against Santos, and a host of other players who have either contributed or chipped in with goals this season.
- Robert Kenedy and Salomón Rondón have found some form up front and will be needed to provide a different option from Monterrey’s usually creative midfield.
