Cruz Azul vs Santos Laguna preview: next match details and prediction
The next Cruz Azul match in the Liga MX Apertura 2026 comes against Santos Laguna, with the sides meeting at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City. This Cruz Azul vs Santos Laguna preview looks ahead to their clash in Apertura - 7, a game that could push the hosts closer to the top half while offering the visitors a chance to finally kick-start their campaign.
The fixture is scheduled for 2026-09-07T02:00:00Z, with the status currently listed as Not Started. Fans wondering when Cruz Azul play next can circle this date as a key opportunity to build on a mixed start, while Santos Laguna arrive under pressure near the foot of the standings and desperate to end a poor run of form.
Match details: date, kick-off & venue
- Competition: Liga MX, Apertura - 7
- Date / Kick-off: 2026-09-07T02:00:00Z
- Venue: Estadio Banorte, Mexico City
- Status: Not Started — Fixture has not started yet
Standings & form
Cruz Azul come into this home game sitting 10th in the Liga MX: Apertura standings. They have collected 9 points from 6 matches, with a perfectly balanced record of 3 wins, 0 draws and 3 defeats. Their goal difference is 0, having scored 11 and conceded 11. The recent form string of WLLLW underlines their inconsistency, but also shows they are capable of reacting after setbacks.
At Estadio Banorte, Cruz Azul’s home numbers are mixed: 1 win and 2 losses from 3 home games, scoring 4 and conceding 6. Away from home they have been slightly stronger, with 2 wins and 1 defeat, and a 7–5 goals record on their travels.
Santos Laguna arrive in far more difficult circumstances. They are currently 17th in the same group, with just 1 point from 6 matches. Their overall record reads 0 wins, 1 draw and 5 losses, with 4 goals scored and 11 conceded for a goal difference of -7. The form line of DLLLL highlights a long winless stretch and four consecutive defeats leading into this Cruz Azul vs Santos Laguna match.
On the road, Santos Laguna have struggled badly: 3 away games, 3 defeats, with 4 goals for and 9 against. At home they have at least taken a point, but have yet to score there, with 0 goals for and 2 conceded in their 3 home fixtures.
From the wider season statistics, Cruz Azul have yet to keep a clean sheet in their 6 league matches and have failed to score only once. Santos Laguna, by contrast, have managed 1 clean sheet but have failed to score in 4 of their 6 games, underlining their attacking issues. Discipline-wise, both sides have picked up a notable number of yellow cards, with Santos Laguna showing bookings across all phases of matches, especially in the closing stages.
Head-to-head
- 2026-03-04T01:00:00Z: Santos Laguna 1–2 Cruz Azul (Liga MX, Clausura - 9)
- 2025-08-17T01:00:00Z: Cruz Azul 3–2 Santos Laguna (Liga MX, Apertura - 5)
- 2025-02-20T03:05:00Z: Santos Laguna 0–1 Cruz Azul (Liga MX, Clausura - 9)
- 2024-11-03T03:10:00Z: Cruz Azul 2–0 Santos Laguna (Liga MX, Apertura - 15)
- 2024-03-10T01:00:00Z: Santos Laguna 3–0 Cruz Azul (Liga MX, Clausura - 11)
The recent head-to-head record between these sides has tilted towards Cruz Azul. In the five listed meetings, Cruz Azul have taken four wins, including the last three in a row: 2–1 away in March 2026, 3–2 at home in August 2025 and 1–0 away in February 2025. Santos Laguna’s only victory in this run was a convincing 3–0 home success in March 2024, while Cruz Azul also recorded a 2–0 home win in November 2024. Overall, the data points to Cruz Azul having the upper hand in recent clashes, both home and away.
Key players to watch
- J. Márquez (Cruz Azul) — 3 goals and 1 assist from defence make him a major two-way influence for the hosts.
- N. Ibáñez (Cruz Azul) — The attacker has also scored 3 goals, providing a key threat in the final third.
- C. Rodríguez (Cruz Azul) — With 4 assists, he is Cruz Azul’s main creative outlet in midfield.
- L. Romero (Cruz Azul) — Contributes both goals and creativity, with 1 goal and 2 assists so far.
- J. Paradela (Cruz Azul) — Another important supplier, registering 2 assists from midfield.
Prediction
The model for this Cruz Azul vs Santos Laguna prediction leans strongly towards the hosts avoiding defeat. The prediction advice is a “Double chance : Cruz Azul or draw”, with the win-or-draw option for Cruz Azul flagged as the recommended outcome.
In percentage terms, the probabilities are listed as 45% home win, 45% draw and just 10% away win. That aligns with the current standings and form: Cruz Azul are mid-table with a mixed but competitive record, while Santos Laguna sit 17th, still searching for their first victory of the Apertura and struggling badly away from home. For fans looking at the next Cruz Azul match, all available indicators suggest the hosts are well placed to take points, with Santos Laguna needing a major improvement to upset the odds.
