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Cruz Azul vs Santos Laguna preview: match date, venue & prediction

The next Cruz Azul match in the Liga MX Apertura 2026 sees them host Santos Laguna at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City. This Cruz Azul vs Santos Laguna preview focuses on a fixture scheduled to kick off on 7 September 2026, with the game yet to get underway and the status listed as Not Started. Fans looking for when Cruz Azul play next can circle this date as a key opportunity to climb the Apertura table.

The clash comes in Apertura - 7, with Cruz Azul sitting mid-pack and Santos Laguna struggling near the bottom of the current standings. With only six games played so far, both sides still have time to reshape their season, but the pressure is higher on the visitors, who are still searching for their first league win of the campaign. This Cruz Azul vs Santos Laguna preview looks at form, standings, head to head and a data-driven Cruz Azul vs Santos Laguna prediction.

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

Standings & form

Cruz Azul come into this Apertura fixture placed 10th in the Liga MX: Apertura table. They have collected 9 points from 6 matches, with a perfectly balanced record of 3 wins, 0 draws and 3 defeats. Their goal difference stands at 0, having scored 11 and conceded 11. Recent form has been inconsistent, reflected in their five-game sequence of WLLLW. At home, Cruz Azul have played 3 times, winning 1 and losing 2, with 4 goals for and 6 against. Away from home they have been stronger, winning 2 and losing 1, scoring 7 and conceding 5.

Santos Laguna arrive in Mexico City with far more urgent concerns. They are currently 17th in the Liga MX: Apertura, on just 1 point from their opening 6 matches. Their record shows 0 wins, 1 draw and 5 losses, with a goal difference of -7 after scoring only 4 and conceding 11. Their recent form string of DLLLL underlines how difficult the start has been. At home, Santos Laguna have played 3 times, drawing 1 and losing 2, with 0 goals scored and 2 conceded. On the road, they have lost all 3 away fixtures, scoring 4 but letting in 9.

Season statistics add more context: Cruz Azul have yet to keep a clean sheet in their 6 league outings, and have failed to score only once. They have also earned 2 penalties, converting 1 and missing 1. In terms of discipline, most of their yellow cards arrive between the 31st and 75th minute. Santos Laguna, by contrast, have managed just 1 clean sheet and have failed to score in 4 of their 6 matches, underlining their attacking struggles. They have not had a single penalty so far this season, and their yellow cards are spread across both halves, with a notable cluster in stoppage time (91–105 minutes).

Head-to-head

  • 2026-03-04: Santos Laguna 1–2 Cruz Azul (Liga MX)
  • 2025-08-17: Cruz Azul 3–2 Santos Laguna (Liga MX)
  • 2025-02-20: Santos Laguna 0–1 Cruz Azul (Liga MX)
  • 2024-11-03: Cruz Azul 2–0 Santos Laguna (Liga MX)
  • 2024-03-10: Santos Laguna 3–0 Cruz Azul (Liga MX)
  • 2023-08-20: Cruz Azul 2–2 Santos Laguna (Liga MX)
  • 2023-04-30: Cruz Azul 3–2 Santos Laguna (Liga MX)
  • 2022-08-07: Santos Laguna 4–0 Cruz Azul (Liga MX)
  • 2022-02-28: Cruz Azul 1–2 Santos Laguna (Liga MX)
  • 2021-08-01: Santos Laguna 1–1 Cruz Azul (Liga MX)

The head-to-head record shows a genuinely competitive rivalry, with momentum swinging in phases. In the most recent five meetings listed, Cruz Azul have won four times, including a 2–0 home victory in November 2024 and a 2–1 away win in March 2026. Santos Laguna’s standout result in that run was a 3–0 home win in March 2024. Earlier clashes also include a 4–0 Santos Laguna home win in August 2022 and several high-scoring encounters, suggesting that this fixture often produces goals even when one side is struggling in the league.

Key players to watch

  • J. Márquez (Cruz Azul) — 3 goals and 1 assist from defence make him a crucial two-way contributor and a major threat on set pieces.
  • N. Ibáñez (Cruz Azul) — The attacker has scored 3 goals, leading the line with a strong shot output and consistent involvement in the box.
  • C. Rodríguez (Cruz Azul) — With 4 assists, the midfielder is Cruz Azul’s main creative outlet, regularly supplying chances from midfield.
  • L. Romero (Cruz Azul) — Contributes across the front line with 1 goal and 2 assists, offering an additional spark in attack.
  • J. Paradela (Cruz Azul) — Has provided 2 assists and is influential in linking play, adding another creative dimension from midfield.

Prediction

The prediction model leans clearly towards the hosts. The data-driven Cruz Azul vs Santos Laguna prediction gives 45% chance of a home win, 45% for a draw and only 10% for an away victory. The advised tip is “Double chance : Cruz Azul or draw”, reflecting Cruz Azul’s stronger league form, better recent head-to-head record and Santos Laguna’s ongoing search for a first Apertura win. For fans weighing up the Cruz Azul vs Santos Laguna prediction, all indicators point to the home side being favoured to avoid defeat at Estadio Banorte.

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