Pumas UNAM vs Cruz Azul Betting Analysis – CONCACAF Champions League Odds

Two of the best teams in the Mexican Liga face off in the first leg of their Champions League CONCACAF Semifinal matchup on Tuesday when Pumas UNAM hosts Cruz Azul. Because the match happens at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario, home team Pumas UNAM is the favorite even though Cruz Azul won the last head-to-head. Will Pumas win the first leg and take the aggregate lead? Or will the road team get it done? Check out CONCACAF Champions League odds, analysis, and a free pick for Cruz Azul at Pumas UNAM.  

CONCACAF CL Semifinals Betting Odds for Pumas UNAM versus Cruz Azul

Champions League CONCACAF Semis Leg 1 –  Cruz Azul at Pumas UNAM

• When: Tuesday, April 5 at 10:00 pm ET

• Where: Estadio Olimpico Universitario, Mexico City, Mexico 

• Moneyline Odds: Cruz Azul +175 / Pumas UNAM +160 / Draw +225

Why Cruz Azul will beat Pumas UNAM

Cruz Azul head into this after a decent 1-0 victory over Atlas. But the real reason to like the road squad is because of how they handled the home team in the last head-to-head. After Luis Abram scored a goal at minute 29, Pumas player Flavio Alvarez countered with a goal at minute 30. Juan Escobar knocked in the ball at minute 70 to ensure the Cruz Azul victory. Azul knows how to beat Pumas. So expect a great performance.   

Cruz Azul Last 5

• W – 1-0 vs. Atlas
• L – 1-0 vs. Pachuca
• D – 1-1 vs. CF Montreal
• W – 2-1 vs. Pumas UNAM
• W – 1-0 vs. CF Montreal 

Cruz Azul Predicted Starting Lineup

• Corona

• Abram

• Aguilar

• Aldrete

• Rivero

• Lira

• Baca

• Romero

• Gimenez

• Escobar

• Antuna

Why Pumas UNAM will beat Cruz Azul

Like Cruz Azul, Pumas heads into this after beating a Mexican Liga rival. Pumas Unam took down FC Juarez 1-0 in their last. The team should use momentum to handle rival Cruz Azul in the first leg. Not only that, but the venue changes from Azteca Stadium, Cruz Azul’s home, to Puma’s pitch. 

Pumas UNAM Last 5

• W – 1-0 vs. FC Juarez
• D – 1-1 vs. Mazatlan FC
• L – 1-3 vs. Necaxa
• W – 3-0 vs. New England Revolution
• L – 2-1 vs. Cruz Azul 

Pumas UNAM Predicted Starting Lineup

• Talavera
• Freire
• Ortiz
• Velarde
• Mozo
• Meritao
• Lopez
• Ruvalcaba
• Diogo
• Dinenno
• Corozo

Final Betting Analysis: Cruz Azul vs Pumas UNAM

These two are bitter rivals, which means this should be a fantastic match. Not only that, but since Dec. 3, 2020, these two have countered each other on the pitch.

Cruz Azul won the Dec. 3, 2020 match 4-0. Pumas exacted revenge with a 4-0 victory on Dec. 6, 2020.

Last year, Cruz Azul won the first head-to-head 1-0. Then in the second head-to-head, on Nov. 7, 2021, Pumas bested Cruz Azul 4-3. Cruz bounced back in the last match on March 12 this year with the excellent 2-1 victory.

Does that mean it’s Pumas’ turn to win? Probably. But before dumping on the home squad, it’s important to realize that trends don’t last forever. Eventually, one of these teams will break the win-loss trend. At the odds, Cruz Azul is more than playable to break the trend on Tuesday. The road squad wins straight up.    

Champions League CONCACAF Pick: Cruz Azul +175

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