Liga MX Apertura Round 17 Odds & Picks: Playoff Races Heat Up as Schedule Winds Down

• Several playoff spots up for grabs as the Liga MX Apertura schedule draws to a close
• Cruz Azul heavily favored to claim a spot above the line in date with Pumas, while CF Monterrey vies for four straight wins in date with Chivas
• We’ve got you covered with all the odds and trends heading into Round 17 of the Liga MX Apertura season

The playoff picture remains far from clear as the Liga MX Guardianes Apertura regular season schedule winds down this weekend. While Club Leon has already clinched top spot on the table, a fierce battle continues for the remaining spots among the top four that guarantee a bye through the elimination round of the expanded Apertura playoffs. A close race also remains further down the table, with four clubs still in the hunt for the final two playoff berths.

Here’s a look at all the odds for Round 17, and key matchups to watch as the Liga MX Apertura campaign draws to a close.

Liga MX Apertura Round 17 Odds

All odds taken November 5 at DraftKings

Cruz Azul Host Pumas in Battle for Spot Above the Line

A spot above the line on the Liga MX table will be decided on Sunday night when Cruz Azul host Pumas UNAM as strong -159 favorites. These two clubs enter the final weekend of the schedule deadlocked at 29 points, two points back of Club America, who can lock up second place when they visit FC Juarez on Saturday as +120 chalk.

Both Cruz Azul and Pumas have struggled down the stretch. Pumas enter this matchup with just one win in their past six league contests, and have blown early leads in each of their past two away dates to extend their woeful win-draw-loss record to 1-4-1 in their past six on the road.

🇲🇽 Liga MX Apertura 2020

Así esta la tabla de posiciones del torneo Guard1anes 2020, que le resta una jornada para saber quienes jugaran los playoffs. pic.twitter.com/KQD5zGbP3B

— El Fútbol del Norte (@EFDNok) November 4, 2020

Cruz Azul have not fared much better, picking up three points just once in their past five league outings. La Maquina have also been a disappointment at home, failing to score while going winless in their past two. Indeed, goals have been scarce for Cruz Azul this fall, with the team finding the back of the net just twice over their past five contests.

While that may set the stage for a low-scoring affair, Cruz Azul has filled the net in recent dates with Pumas, scoring 14 total goals while going 4-2-0 in six meetings across all competitions.

The Pick: Draw (+320)

Monterrey Eyes First-Round Bye in Date with Chivas

CF Monterrey is poised to claim a spot among the top four with a win on Saturday when they visit Chivas Guadalajara as +135 chalk. Monterrey currently join Cruz Azul and Pumas at 29 points, but trail on goal differential, leaving them below the line in fifth place entering the weekend. However, with Cruz Azul and Pumas squaring off, a victory in Guadalajara could lift Monterrey as high as second place.

Nice little boost for @rayados ahead of a big weekend and then the Liga MX playoffs. #ligamxeng https://t.co/Orc3REhvtt

— Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) November 5, 2020

Monterrey carry the momentum of a four-match win streak in league play into Saturday’s contest, as well as a solid record in recent visits to Guadalajara, where they have surrendered just two total goals while enjoying a 2-1-0. Chivas have picked up at least a point in five of their past six home contests, but have struggled against top-flight opponents, earning just one total point in recent dates with Cruz Azul, Club America, and Pumas.

The Pick: CF Monterrey (+135)

Mazatlan Continue Unlikely March to Playoff Spot vs Santos Laguna

After posting wins in two of their past three matches to return to the hunt for a playoff spot, Mazatlan FC will be hoping for a meaningful matchup on Sunday when they visit Santos Laguna as lengthy +380 underdogs. Currently out of the playoff picture, Mazatlan will need a little help in earlier matches to remain in contention at game time on Sunday night. The club currently trails FC Juarez and Puebla FC in the three-way battle for the 12th and final playoff spot, with Juarez set to meet second-place Club America and Puebla enjoying a more favorable matchup with Atletico San Luis.

Ni Chivas, ni América, ni Pumas, ni Cruz Azul ❌

El @MazatlanFC es el equipo que más goles ha anotado en la primera parte de los partidos del #Guard1anes2020 😎

Mazatlán 15
Monterrey 13
America 11
Santos Laguna 11https://t.co/fBBCH2fjAo pic.twitter.com/7ZhxodoMIw

— Futbol Picante (@futpicante) October 30, 2020

Mazatlan has outscored opponents by a 9-4 margin over their past three matches, but have tallied just one victory in six meetings with Santos Laguna. With an opportunity to seize home-field advantage in elimination round action, there is plenty on the line for Los Guerreros.

The club has impressed in recent home outings, going 4-2-1 in their past seven, and surrendering more than a single goal just once, in a 2-1 loss to Pumas in early September. With so much at stake, look for Santos Laguna to bring a sense of urgency to this contest, and continue their recent home dominance.

The Pick: Santos Laguna (-150)