- Cruz Azul host CF Atlas Guadalajara in the second leg of this Liguilla quarter-final with a 3-2 aggregate lead following a dramatic first leg victory in Guadalajara.
- Cruz Azul have not lost in their last five games in all competitions, winning two and drawing three, including a 4-1 thrashing of Necaxa last time out.
- Atlas have kept it tight in their recent games, winning two and drawing two of their last five, but conceded late to Cruz Azul in the first leg.
Cruz Azul clear favourites to progress
The odds strongly favour Cruz Azul in this Liga MX 2025-2026 Liguilla quarter-final second leg, but Atlas are longshots at 6.97 and the draw at 4.75, so it’s difficult to see much value in the match result market. However, there is plenty of scope for interest in the goals markets, especially the over 2.5 goals option currently listed at 1.51.
Cruz Azul finished third in the Clausura 2026 regular season, taking 33 points, while Atlas finished sixth with 26 points, meaning the hosts hold the all-important tie-breaker in the event of a draw on aggregate.
They have a 3-2 advantage to defend at home following the first-leg result in Guadalajara, but Atlas will be confident of securing the win they need to overturn the deficit.
The weather forecast for Sunday’s game in Puebla is for cool, mostly clear conditions, although there is a slight chance of a quick shower just prior to kick off that shouldn’t interfere with the game.
Pragmatists in blue and white, artists in black and gold
These two sides have polar opposite styles with Atlas boss Diego Cocca typically setting up his team to be compact and difficult to break down, while interim Cruz Azul coach Joel Huiqui has instilled a high-tempo, urgent pressing style to their game since taking over in late April.
Atlas captain Aldo Rocha was on target from the penalty spot in the first leg to temporarily put his side in front, but they couldn’t hold out for a crucial draw. Rocha will once again be the defensive midfield general to marshal their defense, which will be compact and organised, looking to absorb the home side’s pressure before transitioning the ball quickly to catch Cruz Azul’s fullbacks out of position.
However, for the visitors, Alfonso González is the man with an eye for goal, coming off the bench to score in the first leg.
The hosts have a plethora of players that can create magic, with Carlos Rodolfo Rotondi, who was on the score-sheet in the first leg, the orchestrator of most of their attacking moves this season. The likes of José Paradela, who assisted the winner in the first leg, and Agustín Palavecino will provide plenty of set-piece threat and midfield control on Sunday, but will need to keep Atlas at bay to secure their passage through to the next round.
Tight game likely
The last five Liga MX and Liguilla meetings between these two clubs have been tight, with three draws in their previous five meetings, but Cruz Azul won both games in 2026, so it seems likely that the 3rd placed team will advance to the semi-finals on Sunday.
At 1.39, Cruz Azul are worth backing to get the job done at home and secure progress in the Liguilla, although it could be nerve-wracking for the fans with Atlas desperate to push forward and needing a two-goal win to survive.
Set pieces and VAR will likely have a big say on the game as they did in the 1st leg when a penalty was awarded to Cruz Azul in the final minutes, but Huiqui’s men will likely be more positive than Cocca’s Atlas side, so we should see an open game that could easily see over 2.5 goals, especially as Atlas will need to attack in the latter stages.
The visitors' recent form has been solid defensively, but they need to play their best to progress and that’s where their defensive style of play is a bit of a hindrance. Atlas boss Cocca is more of a disciplined and pragmatic coach that sets his sides up to be difficult to play against, but Cruz Azul have a more free-flowing style and their recent results suggest they are the more likely winners here.
Injuries to Jesús Orozco and Nicolás Ibáñez mean the depth at Cruz Azul is not as good as it could be, while Atlas enter with a nearly full squad to choose from. Christian Eberé, who scored a double in the 1st leg and is the most in-form player for the club, became the first African to score a Liguilla double for Cruz Azul.
Camilo Vargas will have to be at his best in the Atlas goal on Sunday after conceding three times in the 1st leg, but he made some important saves to keep it close. Cruz Azul’s goalie Kevin Mier will be under pressure to save his team’s aggregate lead and progress to the semi-final stage.
