- Pachuca are unbeaten in their last five (W3, D2) and are in strong form overall this Clausura 2026.
- Santos Laguna are bottom of the table in 18th place with 9pts, -16 goal difference after 13 matches.
Pachuca have a strong foundation at Estadio Hidalgo
Pachuca CF have been in fine form in the Clausura 2026 season and are a worthy favourite to beat struggling Santos Laguna Mexico this Sunday.
Esteban Solari’s side are unbeaten in their last five Liga MX matches, a run which has pushed them into the top four at the mid-season break. Solari, who is currently serving a touchline ban after seeing red in the 2-1 win at Cruz Azul, will miss the game but Pachuca have a similar strength-in-depth and their assistant coach will be in charge.
Pachuca have won three and drawn two of their last five, with their recent 2-1 away win at Cruz Azul inspired by a Kenedy brace. The Brazilian has been in scintillating form on Pachuca’s right flank, where he cuts inside to deadly effect on the counter-attack, as he showed against La Maquina last weekend.
Santos are sinking without a captain
Santos Laguna have had a disastrous Clausura 2026 to date, and will go into this game needing to win to keep a slim chance of a playoff spot alive.
With 9 points from 13 matches and a goal difference of -16, Santos have not got much to build on if they are to climb out of 18th spot before the season ends. Interim boss Omar Tapia has steadied the ship somewhat, but a run of two wins, one draw and two defeats from the last five is hardly a reason for confidence.
The Santos side have shipped 31 goals this season and scored just 15, so goalie Carlos Acevedo has been busy. Santos play with high intensity, pressing hard and preferring to play vertical football when they have possession, stretching play by getting the full-backs and wide players to support the attack.
Pachuca have the people to score goals and make them count
Pachuca will look to take advantage of any space Santos leave when they press, and their own 4-2-3-1 has the players in all areas to create and finish chances. Salomón Rondón is a classic number nine and has been Pachuca’s main goalscorer in this Clausura, while the likes of Idrissi and Víctor Guzmán are a dynamic engine room combination, getting onto the end of everything and supplying the forwards with chances.
Christian Rivera is suspended for this game, but he should be missed less than Solari, who is also suspended and brings the big strategic ideas to Pachuca. The odds of 2/5 for the home side to win are fair enough considering the form guide, home advantage at Estadio Hidalgo and the fact that Pachuca are undefeated on their own patch this campaign.
Santos are 23/4 to pull off a shock win. We’re not supporting the visitors at such a huge price, although we do expect lots of goals to be scored with Pachuca’s attacking prowess and Santos’ defensive failings. Over 2.5 goals at 11/25 looks a solid bet, while we’re going for a 3-1 Pachuca win in the correct score market.
