This Wednesday, August 7, 2018 (5:00 PM Pacific) Cruz Azul will host Atlas at the Estadio Azteca for a game in the third round of matches of the 2018 Apertura edition of the Copa MX. Cruz Azul is the clear favorite to win the clash, but it should still be a hard-fought match between two Liga MX teams.
Cruz Azul is off to a tremendous start in the Liga MX with three wins from three games and also managed to get a win in its first Copa MX match as well. That win was a very intense 3-2 clash against Ascenso MX side Zacatepec away from home. Some consistent Liga MX starters like Pablo Aguilar, Elias Hernandez and Ivan Marcone did play in that game as well as players like Igor Lichnovsky and Martin Cauteruccio.
Cauteruccio scored two goals in that clash and recently found himself in Pedro Caixinha’s starting 11 against Tigres UANL in league play. It is unclear as to what players the Portuguese manager will use as he does have a plethora of options, but with a tough away game in Tijuana on the weekend, many key players are not likely to feature.
Atlas is on the opposite side of the spectrum in terms of form in the Liga MX with just a point from three games. Los Zorros are coming off an embarrassing 3-0 loss against Pumas UNAM in league play and did inclusively suffer a 2-1 loss to Zacatepec in their first Copa MX game.
Rafael Marquez was recently named as the club’s new sporting director and manager Gerardo Espinoza now has to be on the hot seat after such a poor start. Espinoza does have some intriguing players that may start in this game like Omar Gonzalez, Andres Andrade and “Ricky” Alvarez but it will be tough to get a result away from home.
Prediction
Cruz Azul is the clear favorite to get the three points from the encounter with the better squad and the home-field advantage at the Estadio Azteca. Atlas has an interesting squad, but is in bad form and already suffered a 3-0 loss at the Azteca against Club America earlier in the season. FutnSoccer predicts a 3-1 win for Cruz Azul in a match that should not be very contested due to the disparity between the two teams in terms of squad depth.
How to Watch Cruz Azul vs Atlas
The Cruz Azul vs Atlas match will be broadcast this Wednesday, August 8 at 5:00 PM Pacific:
TV Schedule: Univision Deportes
Watch Live Online: Sling TV
