Liga MX Apertura Qualification Playoffs Odds, Picks & Predictions

• CF Monterrey, Chivas Guadalajara among favorites as Liga MX Apertura playoffs get underway
• The expanded playoff format features 12 clubs, with the bottom eight seeds battling it this weekend in qualification round action
• We’ve got you covered with all the trends for all four of this weekend’s Liga MX Apertura postseason matches

The Liga MX Apertura playoffs kick off this week with the number of clubs making the postseason expanded from eight to 12. As a result, this year’s playoff format includes a qualifying round featuring the bottom eight-seeded clubs, while the top four seeded clubs enjoy a bye.

Here’s a look at the odds and our top three bets ahead of this weekend’s Liga MX Apertura qualification round matchups.

Liga MX Apertura Qualification Playoffs Odds

All odds taken November 18

Santos Laguna Favored to End Winless Streak vs Pachuca

Santos Laguna aims for a fourth straight home win when they host CF Pachuca on Saturday night as slim +135 favorites. Los Guerreros have outscored opponents by a wide 8-1 margin during a 3-0-0 win-draw-loss run at home, capped by a 4-0 season-ending victory over Mazatlan. That lifted the club past Pachuca in the race for eighth place and home-field advantage in the qualification round.

#LigaMX
Tabla general Liga MX Clausura 2020: Conoce las posiciones de todos los equipos del futbol pic.twitter.com/hWXtLR6zFN

— Al momento (@MxAlmomento) November 11, 2020

Santos Laguna have been dominant in-home dates at Estadio Nuevo Corona, suffering just one defeat in 26 league contests since March 2019. However, they are likely to face a stiff challenge against Pachuca, who lag as +185 underdogs. Pachuca have suffered just one road defeat this season, a 1-0 loss to Cruz Azul back in early September.

The club has surrendered a league-best 14 total goals this season, and just four total goals in eight road contests. Pachuca are also unbeaten in nine meetings with Los Guerreros across all competitions and have not spotted Santos Laguna a lead in a league matchup since dropping a 1-0 decision in a September 2017 visit.

The Pick: CF Pachuca (+185)

Club Necaxa Ride Win Streak into Guadalajara as Attractive Liga MX Underdogs

Club Necaxa looks to extend the hot streak that lifted them into the playoff picture when they visit Chivas Guadalajara on Saturday night as +235 underdogs. Winners in just two of their first 12 matches, Los Rayos closed out their schedule with five straight wins, keeping clean sheets in three road victories over that stretch.

¡OTRA BAJA!😭

De acuerdo a diversos medios, @JJMacias9 se perdería el partido del repechaje vs @ClubNecaxa luego de sufrir una recaída muscular.

Se suma a la baja de @Alexis_Vega9 y los cuatro jugadores separados.@AgenciaJRF @ClubUnionGdl @somos_de_chivas
📷: Mexsport pic.twitter.com/HywguHM8Fc

— Leonardo Cid (@LeonardoCid9) November 17, 2020

Chivas will be aiming to post wins in consecutive outings for the first time since August when they hit the pitch for Saturday’s contest as +110 home chalk. The club tallied a decisive 3-1 home win over Monterrey to clinch seventh place on the table in their final outing.

With the win, Chivas halted a two-match win streak, but have been steady on home turf at Estadio Akron, posting wins in three of their past four outings.

The club has also tallied victories in each of their two meetings with Necaxa in 2020, but have recorded just one win in five home dates with Los Rayos across all competitions since 2010.

The Pick: Club Nexaca (+235)

Monterrey Host Surging Club Puebla as Heavy Chalk

CF Monterrey begins the defense of their 2019 Liga MX Apertura crown when they host Puebla FC on Sunday night as lofty -155 favorites. The club saw a steady four-match win streak in league play snapped by a 3-1 loss to Chivas in the final date on their schedule.

With the loss, Monterrey missed their chance to nail down fourth place in the Liga MX table and earn a bye through the qualification round. However, the club has avoided losses in consecutive outings this season, and have also dominated Puebla in recent dates on home turf, going 3-1-0 in their past four while averaging two goals per match.

Dates are officially set for the 1st round of the Liga MX playoffs!

Saturday:
Santos vs Pachuca
Chivas vs Necaxa

Sunday:
Tigres vs Toluca
Monterrey vs Puebla

All single-leg matches. Winners will book a spot in the quarterfinals w/ Leon, Pumas, Cruz Azul and America. #LigaMXeng https://t.co/ZjHND8S5AO

— Cesar Hernandez (@cesarhfutbol) November 16, 2020

Club Puebla will be looking to win three in a row in league play for the first time in five years when they square off against Monterrey in Sunday night’s clash at Estadio BBVA Bancomer as distant +375 underdogs.

Back-to-back wins over bottom-feeders Atlas and Atletico San Luis were all Los Camoteros needed to seize 12th place and the final playoff spot after posting just one victory in their previous eight league outings.

The defense slammed the door on opponents in their final two outings, keeping clean sheets in both contests. That marks a dramatic improvement after allowing 10 total goals over their previous four outings. However, Puebla strikers have tallied just five total goals while losing five of seven on the road, a run that is not likely to be reversed against a hungry Monterrey squad.

The Pick: CF Monterrey (-155)