- Cruz Azul have won three and lost two of their last five matches in all competitions.
- Atlas are on a two-match winning streak, but have lost three of their last five games in all competitions.
- Atlas have won two of their two Liga MX away fixtures in 2026/2027, scoring 2.00 goals per game and conceding 1.00.
Atlas are in the ascendant under Crespo
Atlas are in the ascendancy under Hernán Crespo and will look to continue their rise up the table with a win away to Cruz Azul on Sunday. Atlas have beaten FC Cincinnati 2-1 away in the CONCACAF Leagues Cup 2026/2027 and Club Tigres de la UANL 2-1 at home in Liga MX 2026/2027 in the last seven days and those two wins have given Atlas a real bounce.
Cruz Azul come into this match in seventh place on 6pts from three games in the Apertura 2026, while Atlas are in second spot on nine points from four games. La Máquina have scored nine goals in their last five fixtures in all competitions, so there is an abundance of firepower for both sides to make this an entertaining affair.
José Paradela has been on a tear for Cruz Azul with four of the team's nine goals in their last five coming from his boot. Jeremy Márquez has been his side's principal goal threat in Liga MX 2026/2027 with two in three games, so the home side have the edge in the striker department.
Home advantage will count for Cruz Azul
Joel Huiqui's men tend to be a more pragmatic outfit than the visitors, who are keen to play at a higher tempo and get on the front foot. Atlas may be more attack-minded but they will be forced to come at La Máquina through the thirds because they have not won any of their last three Liga MX trips to Estadio Banorte, which is a negative record that should put pressure on the visitors to produce on Sunday.
The home team have won one and lost one of their two Liga MX home games in 2026/2027, scoring four goals in those two contests. Atlas are undefeated in two away trips this term, so the away team's recent improvement under Crespo makes the draw seem a more plausible outcome than the odds suggest.
At 7/10, Cruz Azul are justifiably the favourites for this match but the price on Atlas at 37/10 is a touch rich, while the 13/5 on a draw seems on the high side, too. We think Huiqui will find a way to edge the contest, but Atlas' away form and Crespo's attack-minded blueprint for this season should keep it live.
Over 2.5 goals at 69/100 is more in step with the potential for an end-to-end match than Under 2.5 at 111/100, while Both teams to score at 43/50 also fits the setup. Aldo Rocha is Atlas' top scorer in Liga MX 2026/2027 with one goal in two games, but he also adds a bit of bite to the midfield, which should help El Rojinegro's cause in this clash.
