- Santos form: Santos have taken 1 win, 1 draw and 3 defeats in their last 5 matches.
- Pachuca form: Pachuca have taken 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat in their last 5, winning their last 2.
- H2H: Santos have averaged 0.7 goals per game in their last 5 home H2Hs (5 matches), while Pachuca have averaged 1.0 as the visitors over the same period.
Santos need a win
A run of 1 win, 1 draw and 3 defeats in the last 5 leaves Santos Laguna 17th in the Liga MX 2026/2027 table with 4 points from their opening 8 games. However, the Guerreros will be encouraged by the fact that these have been their most impressive performances since Renato Paiva took charge on 19 May 2026, with a 0-0 draw at home to Tigres, a 1-0 defeat away to Cruz Azul and a 2-1 victory at home to FC Juarez.
At the Estadio Nuevo Corona, Mexico, Santos have won 1, drawn 1 and lost 2 since the start of the new season, so the hosts haven't really turned this home into a fortress yet. Paiva's side have been built upon compactness, intensity and fast-paced vertical football.
Pachuca come into this in better form
12th-placed Pachuca have a much healthier 11 points on the board from their 8 Liga MX 2026/2027 matches, and they come into this one in much better form than their opponents. Benjamin Mora has been the man in charge since 1 July 2026, and the Tuzos have looked dangerous when playing a flexible, possession-based brand of soccer, whilst also having the structure to press their opponents at the right times.
Pachuca have conceded just 0.40 goals per match on their travels in the 2026/2027 Liga MX campaign, which is a clear indicator that they are in control when playing away. Their two most recent results – a 2-0 win away to FC Juarez and a 3-0 success over Atlante – will have them buzzing and looking forward to this one.
A close match is expected
Odds & prediction
The main betting odds have Pachuca at 2.08, Santos at 3.05 and the draw at 3.75. Whilst Pachuca are the slight favorite and the value probably lies with a home win, we feel that this may be a closer match than the odds suggest.
Pachuca have won 3 of the last 5 H2Hs, with Santos winning 1 and 1 draw, and the Tuzos will look to build on the 4-2 victory they recorded against Santos in the reverse.
Tactics & goals
Both teams to score – Yes at 1.53 and Over 2.5 goals at 1.62 look like good options in this matchup, as Pachuca's structure should enable them to dictate the rhythm whilst Santos look to disrupt the rhythm and hit them on the break in transition. Santos haven't been prolific recently, but Pachuca have improved and that should add up to an exciting match rather than a cagey affair.
Players to watch
- Ezequiel Bullaude top scores for Santos in the Liga MX 2026/2027 with 2 goals in 8 matches, but with 3 in 5, he is the one to watch as he has scored 3 of the Guerreros' 5 goals over their last 5 games.
- Jose Salomon Rondon leads the way for Pachuca, scoring 8 goals in his 8 matches in the 2026/2027 Liga MX season, with 3 in 5, he is also the man to watch as he has slotted 3 of the Tuzos' 8 goals in their last 5.
