- Puebla are winless in their last 5 games, losing the last 3.
- Santos Laguna have won 1 and lost 4 of their last 5 matches.
- Puebla are unbeaten after 1 game at home in Liga MX 2026/2027, but a draw is less than ideal.
A tale of 2 cities and 2 coaches
Puebla currently sit in mid-table with a decent, if uninspiring start to the 2026/2027 Liga MX season - 11th place with 4 points from their opening 3 matches. However, La Franja are in poor form, with 3 defeats in a row and 5 without a win - a 5-2 loss away at Portland Timbers, a 3-0 loss at Austin FC and a 3-2 defeat at San Diego FC in the CONCACAF Leagues Cup 2026/2027.
Gerardo Espinoza has been the head coach of Puebla since 1st July 2026 and has set about establishing a more vertical, high-pressing identity for his side. When they have the ball, La Franja will look to play direct passes forward, while when they don't, they will look to press high and recover the ball quickly.
Santos Laguna Mexico are already in serious trouble in the Liga MX 2026/2027 table, sat 17th with 0 points after 3 matches, with the pressure already mounting on Renato Paiva. The boss, who has been at the helm since 19th May 2026, is trying to build a more possession-heavy, build-from-the-back style of play that is structured around pressing phases in the opponent's half.
The styles of these two sides are an almost perfect match for each other on paper - Puebla want to get the ball forward as quickly as possible while Santos Laguna will want to keep the ball for large periods and build from the ground up. This should make for an exciting, and potentially end-to-end affair, with Puebla looking to attack down the wings and in behind when they get the chance and Santos looking to control the game in midfield and pin Puebla back.
A tight, close and competitive match
The odds reflect the fact that neither team are in great form, with Puebla coming in at 8/5 and Santos Laguna at 7/5, with the draw at 5/2. I think the visitors edge the odds slightly, but Puebla's home form tells us that this is likely to be a close run contest.
Puebla are yet to lose at home in Liga MX 2026/2027, but their opening fixture, a 1-1 draw, shows that La Franja need to be more clinical in front of goal. Santos Laguna have lost both of their matches on the road in the new season, and from the off, Guerreros have looked vulnerable away from home.
Over 2.5 goals at 17/25 and both teams to score at 11/20 are both good bets here, as both sides will give it a go, especially given what's at stake. In terms of a correct score, a 1-1 or 2-1 looks the most live, as Puebla have conceded just 1.00 goal per home game in Liga MX 2026/2027, so they are reasonably tight, while Santos Laguna have averaged 1.00 away goal per game, but that has not been enough to stop the slide.
Squad selection
Puebla - Eduardo Mustre has been La Franja's chief threat so far this season, scoring 1 goal in 3 matches in Liga MX 2026/2027, but 3 of Puebla's last 6 goals have come courtesy of the striker. Alberto Herrera has provided the spark for Puebla, laying on 2 assists in just 2 appearances in the 2026/2027 season.
Santos Laguna Mexico - Ezequiel Bullaude has been the hottest finisher in Santos Laguna's ranks, scoring 2 of their 3 goals over the last 5 matches. Eduardo Aguirre has scored 1 in 2 for Guerreros in the Liga MX 2026/2027, providing Santos with a focal point up front, while Felipe Sanchez has been useful from the second line, laying on 1 assist in 3 appearances.
