- Club América are 1.57 favourites to beat 4.9 Santos Laguna, a correct result that can be avoided.
- Over 2.5 goals is a good play at 1.62 with goals likely in both boxes.
Swan song for Santos with América to the tune
This Sunday’s Liga MX clash between Santos Laguna Mexico and Club America should be an interesting fixture between two very different footballing approaches. The hosts have been chaotic to start the 2025-26 Clausura season and remain in relegation danger with a handful of points and a negative goal difference near the bottom.
Interim manager Omar Tapia has tried to get Santos to play with more intensity, a faster tempo and aggression as well as more directness when in possession and to get numbers into the opposing half.
Zendejas has been América’s star player
America, on the other hand, are playing some of the most structured, possession-based soccer in Liga MX under André Jardine. His club are in the top half of the Clausura 2026 table with about 14 points and have won key games in March to put themselves on the fringes of direct Liguilla qualification.
A win here would go a long way to ensuring a top-eight finish, while Santos Laguna need the points desperately to drag themselves out of the relegation zone and justify the managerial merry-go-round earlier this season.
Jardine’s men have been much more solid at the back recently with Luis Ángel Malagón keeping things in check at the last line and Alejandro ‘Álex’ Zendejas providing the spark in attack. He was named the round’s MVP recently and his form has given América a reliable attacking reference point for the first time this season.
Santos lack a talisman
Santos Laguna lack a clear talisman, but they do have some talented players who can score goals on their day. They are much more opportunistic, playing on the counter-attack and from set pieces. Their home fans will get behind them and Tapia’s gameplan should ensure that the game stays open and entertaining for as long as possible.
But América are a very good soccer team when they have their wits about them, playing vertical football from wide areas and organising good pressing traps to force turnovers. They have dominated Santos Laguna in recent head-to-head meetings, winning 3-0, 4-1 and 3-0 in their last three clashes in Liga MX.
So, with the league standings, form, and the head-to-head record all in their favour, América will win the game on Sunday. But the Over 2.5 goals market at 1.62 looks more attractive than the team odds and the conditions should be warm and clear in Torreón for an open, exciting game of footy.
