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Monterrey vs Cruz Azul preview: next match kick-off and details

The next Monterrey match is a high-profile Liga MX clash at home to Cruz Azul in the Apertura - 9 round. This Monterrey vs Cruz Azul preview looks ahead to their meeting at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, with kick-off scheduled for 2026-09-20T01:10:00Z. The fixture status is currently listed as Not Started, with both sides targeting valuable points in the Apertura phase.

Monterrey come into this game sitting 12th in the Liga MX Apertura standings, while Cruz Azul are better placed in 4th and currently in a position described as Promotion - Liga MX (Apertura - Play Offs: Quarter-finals). With the visitors already in the upper part of the table and the hosts looking to climb, this encounter at Estadio BBVA carries significant weight for both clubs’ early-season ambitions.

Match details: date, kick-off & venue

  • Competition: Liga MX, Apertura - 9
  • Date / Kick-off: 2026-09-20T01:10:00Z
  • Venue: Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
  • Status: Not Started

Standings & form

Monterrey are currently 12th in Liga MX Apertura with 10 points from 7 matches. Their overall record stands at 3 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats, with a goal difference of +3 (13 scored, 10 conceded). At Estadio BBVA they have been relatively solid, taking advantage of home conditions with 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, scoring 10 and conceding 6. Away from home they have 1 win and 2 defeats (3 goals for, 4 against). Their recent league form line reads DLLWW, indicating two straight defeats followed by back-to-back wins.

Cruz Azul arrive in stronger league shape, placed 4th in the Apertura table on 15 points after 8 games. They have recorded 5 wins and 3 losses, with no draws so far, and a goal difference of +2 (16 scored, 14 conceded). At home they have played 5 times, winning 3 and losing 2 (9 goals for, 9 against). On their travels they have been effective, with 2 away wins and 1 defeat, scoring 7 and conceding 5. Their current form string is WWWLL, reflecting a run of three consecutive victories followed by two losses.

Looking at additional season statistics, Monterrey have kept 2 clean sheets so far (1 at home, 1 away) and have failed to score in 2 matches. They have converted 2 penalties from 2 attempts, a 100% record, and most often line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Cruz Azul, meanwhile, have registered 1 clean sheet and failed to score once. From the spot they have had 3 penalties, scoring 1 and missing 2. Tactically they have been flexible, using several systems including 4-2-3-1, 5-3-2, 5-4-1, 4-2-2-2 and 4-1-4-1.

Head-to-head

  • 2026-03-18T03:00:00Z: Cruz Azul 1–1 Monterrey (CONCACAF Champions League, Round of 16)
  • 2026-03-11T01:00:00Z: Monterrey 2–3 Cruz Azul (CONCACAF Champions League, Round of 16)
  • 2026-03-01T01:05:00Z: Monterrey 0–2 Cruz Azul (Liga MX, Clausura - 8)
  • 2025-10-26T03:05:00Z: Cruz Azul 2–0 Monterrey (Liga MX, Apertura - 15)
  • 2025-03-09T01:05:00Z: Cruz Azul 1–1 Monterrey (Liga MX, Clausura - 11)
  • 2024-07-14T03:10:00Z: Monterrey 0–4 Cruz Azul (Liga MX, 2024)
  • 2024-05-20T00:00:00Z: Cruz Azul 1–2 Monterrey (Liga MX, 2023)
  • 2024-05-17T03:00:00Z: Monterrey 0–1 Cruz Azul (Liga MX, 2023)
  • 2024-04-07T03:05:00Z: Cruz Azul 2–1 Monterrey (Liga MX, 2023)
  • 2023-08-28T02:05:00Z: Monterrey 1–2 Cruz Azul (Liga MX, 2023)

The head-to-head record in the listed meetings shows Cruz Azul with several wins both home and away, including a recent 3–2 victory at Estadio BBVA in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 and a 4–0 away success in Liga MX in 2024. Monterrey’s notable result in this sequence is a 2–1 away win on 2024-05-20, while there have also been draws at 1–1 in 2026 and 2025. Overall, Cruz Azul have enjoyed the upper hand in these fixtures, particularly in Monterrey.

Key players to watch

  • L. Ocampos (Monterrey) — 5 goals and 1 assist in Liga MX 2026, a major attacking threat with strong shooting numbers.
  • D. Rossi (Monterrey) — 2 goals and 3 assists, offering creativity and end product in the final third.
  • J. Márquez (Cruz Azul) — 3 goals and 1 assist from defence, contributing at both ends of the pitch.
  • N. Ibáñez (Cruz Azul) — 3 goals, a key attacking outlet for the visitors.
  • C. Rodríguez (Cruz Azul) — league-leading creator with 5 assists, central to Cruz Azul’s build-up play.
  • J. Paradela (Cruz Azul) — 2 goals and 4 assists, another major creative influence in midfield.
  • L. Romero (Cruz Azul) — 1 goal and 2 assists, adding depth and attacking spark.

Prediction

The data-driven model for this Monterrey vs Cruz Azul prediction leans towards the visitors avoiding defeat. The prediction percentages give Monterrey a 10% chance of winning, with the draw at 45% and a Cruz Azul win also at 45%. The advice is a Combo Double chance: draw or Cruz Azul and +1.5 goals, suggesting a tight contest where the away side are favoured slightly, and at least two goals are expected in the game.

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