Cruz Azul vs Pachuca Odds & Prediction – Liga MX Clausura Semifinals Leg 2

• Cruz now strongly fancied ahead of clash  in Mexico City at 9pm ET on Saturday
• Dull goalless draw in Leg1 but regular-season table-toppers Cruz Azul are strong at home
• See all Odds & Best Bets  for Cruz Azul vs Pachuca  – Liga MX Clausura Semifinals Leg 2

Cruz Azul has been made a huge favorite to overcome Pachuca in the second leg of Mexico’s Liga MX Clausura championship playoff semifinal on Saturday.

It is a big reversal of the odds following a goalless draw in Leg1 last Wednesday.

Surprisingly, Pachuca had been installed as the favorite to win the first leg, even though Cruz Azul had finished top of the standings in the regular season – while their opponents had finished eighth.

Liga MX Cruz Azul vs Pachuca Odds

Odds as of May 22

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However, the oddsmakers have changed their view after the dull 0-0 stalemate in the opening last four encounter. Now, DraftKings rate Cruz Azul as favorite at -122 to win and advance to the final with Pachuca now a wide outsider at +350.

The draw after 90 minutes is priced at +245.

https://youtu.be/T73yPOqReLc

Certainly, this looks attractive given the tense and tight nature of the first match.

The spread offer of +160 for Cruz Azul to win by two goals or could be seen as interesting (Asian Handicap -1.) But the draw in normal time looks more secure, with kickoff at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City at 9pm ET.

Few Threats in Leg 1 Collision

Chances were few and far between in an opening leg of few thrills.

The home side played cautiously – fearful of allowing Cruz Azul a precious away goal.

Pachuca’s most promising opportunity did not occur until the 77th minute, when Mauro Quiroga shot wide from close range.

It’ll be tough to see a clearer path for Cruz Azul to win a title than the one they have now. Whether that translates on Saturday remains to be seen.#LigaMXEng @The_MaquinaEN #Rómpela @Tuzos #TeJuroQueTeAmo https://t.co/ahGyZkS0XK pic.twitter.com/3m6hWY6k8y

— FMF State of Mind (@FMFSoM) May 20, 2021

Further, there was also hope for Pachuca four minutes from the end when Oscar Murillo went close. This stalemate was in contrast to the goal-laden events of Pachuca’s surprise progress to the semifinals.

This had firstly involved a 4-2 defeat of Chivas Guadalajara in the first stage of the playoffs.

Then, subsequently, they were 3-1 winners at home against Club America in the quarterfinal – followed by a 4-2 defeat on the road which handed Pachica victory on away goals.

However, Cruz Azul must be favored to progress to the final of the playoffs – having been unbeaten at home since the second round of the regular season on January 17.

https://youtu.be/kCCeADJ-XZ4

It finished top of the regular season table and had the second-best home record with seven wins, one draw and that sole 1-0 defeat by Puebla back in January.

Further, Pachuca had the seventh-best away statistics with three wins, three draws and three defeats.

It appeared that the oddsmakers had been swayed by Pachuca’s impressive late regular-season form when they made them the favorite to win the first leg meeting.

Given the beatdowns Pachuca handed Chivas and América at the Estadio Hidalgo, a 0-0 is not the worst result for Cruz Azul. Yet, an away goal for Los Tuzos on Saturday would leave Juan Reynoso's men needing to win to advance. La Máquina are set to walk a tightrope at the Azteca. https://t.co/zbAVrEfamR

— Owen Diana (@forkicksblog) May 20, 2021

Following two draws and only one win in its final three regular-season matches, there was a belief that Cruz had begun to stutter – despite a 15-match unbeaten run in the regular season.

That view gained further support when that unbeaten run came to an end in the 2-1 defeat by Toluca in the quarterfinal first leg.

However, Cruz still progressed into their last-four meeting with Pachuca with a 3-1 victory in the return leg against Toluca.

Liga MX Cruz Azul vs Pachuca Statistics

As well as chasing its first domestic title since 1997, Cruz Azul is also a semi-finalist in the CONCACAF Champions League after overcoming MLS side Toronto FC in the last eight.

Pachuca last tasted success when it won the 2015-16 Clausura tournament.

Liga MX splits its season into two sections – with the Apertura championship played first in each campaign followed by the Clausura.

This season each competition has been re-named as the Torneo Guradianes in honor of the work of Mexico’s health workers during the COVID-19 crisis.

Pachuca’s Surprise Advance to Semifinal

Pachuca’s progress to the last four has surprised many because it did not win a match until the 10th round of the 17-match regular season. There have now been four meetings between these teams since Pachuca last recorded a victory.

Before the goalless draw in mid-week, Cruz was a 1-0 winner when it visited Pachuca in the Clausura in January.

Cruz was previously a 1-0 winner at home last September. And it notched up a 3-1 win at home before that in February last year.

With the #LigaMX semifinals on the horizon, here's a quick look back at the #Liguilla thus far:#ligamxeng @The_MaquinaEN @Tuzos @ClubSantosEn @ClubPueblaEn https://t.co/AlOiBNbyIv

— Thomas M. Buckley (@TomBuckley519) May 18, 2021

Meanwhile, Pachuca has not secured a win against Cruz Azul since a 2-0 home victory in September, 2019.

The first leg of this latest collision was tight and there is so much at stake again on Saturday. So, a draw after 90 minutes looks likely.

Pick: Draw (+245)