- Santos Laguna have struggled defensively and are without key players ahead of the visit of playoff-chasing Atlas.
- The visitors have struggled to score goals but have been solid at the back under Diego Cocca.
- This fixture has been close and cagey in the last few seasons, with Atlas winning 3-0 and 1-0 at home and Santos winning 2-0 and drawing 2-2 at home.
Struggling Santos Laguna need a lift
Bottom club Santos Laguna Mexico face a crucial away fixture against playoff-bound CF Atlas Guadalajara on Sunday.
Interim manager Omar Tapia has stabilized the defence a little bit, but his side continue to leak goals and lack consistent scoring power, especially with Anthony Lozano out with a knee injury.
They go into the match against Atlas with just 2 wins, 3 draws and 9 defeats in Clausura 2026, which would be a major disappointment to fans of the team.
A 4-2 home defeat to Pachuca was followed by a 1-1 draw with America.
Cristian Dájome has been the only reliable source of attack, consistently creating chances and registering goals and shots on target this season, but they look vulnerable to Diego Cocca’s Atlas.
Sturdy Atlas are a disciplined unit
The Cantera del Atlas have a mixed record of 5 wins, 4 draws and 5 losses in 14 Clausura games, but their current position around 7th-8th in the table puts them in contention for a direct playoff berth if they avoid defeat on Sunday. Cocca is a pragmatic coach who has disciplined his team to defend compactly in a 4-3-3 system and then burst forward with their midfield screens in place. It’s not always pretty or prolific, but they are extremely hard to break down.
Uroš Djurdjević is the best finisher on the team and has hit the most goals, but Diego González and Arturo González have provided support when he has been marked out. Mateo García and Gustavo Ferrareis are back in the squad to boost a side that will need their midfield to work hard in the closing stretch of the season.
Expect a cagey game in Torreon
The early odds favour the away side at 81/50, but with Santos at 29/20 and the draw at 49/20, we’ll take the value on the ‘both teams to score’ market at 29/50 for this game. However, our main bet is that this will be a low-scoring, cagey match with under 2.5 goals at 26/25 representing the best value play.
Cocca’s side are solid and should nick it, especially with Santos also having Carlos Gruezo doubtful, their engine room midfielder, due to a hamstring. The Torreón heat should also help the home side, but it’s a long game in a physically demanding league and Santos may tire in the second half.
