Cruz Azul vs. Tigres: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

A place in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final is up for grabs on Thursday, when Cruz Azul host Liga MX rivals Tigres at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City.

The tie is finely poised after last week’s 1-1 draw at Tigres but recent form and an excellent home record means Cruz Azul, who were only denied bringing a lead into this second leg by an 84th-minute Juan Jose Sanchez Purata strike in Monterrey, are strong favorites to prevail.

The winner will face either the Vancouver Whitecaps or Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the final.

Cruz Azul vs. Tigres betting picks and predictions

Cruz Azul to win (-110)

Since their narrow 2-1 defeat to Tigres in February, Cruz Azul have gone 15 games without defeat and they are one of the most in-form teams in either of the Americas. Vicente Sanchez will feel his side should have won in Monterrey last week but they may not be so wasteful this time around. 

Cruz Azul won the shot count 10-7, had two more corners than their hosts and also boasted 53% possession. They should be even more dominant at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, where they have won five straight games.

That run includes a 4-1 rout of the Seattle Sounders and a 2-1 win over Liga MX title contenders Club America, spelling trouble for Tigres, who have won just three of their last eight matches and lost 3-0 to America in that run. 

You feel Tigres needed to come away from the home leg with a lead, given they have won just one of their last 10 away matches, and their inability to do so means they will miss out on the opportunity to land a first Champions Cup since 2020. 

Cruz Azul, who last won the trophy in 2014, would go level with Club America on seven titles if they prevailed this term and their form suggests they will get the chance to do so in June. 

Thursday’s hosts also have the benefit of having the tournament’s top scorer, six-goal Angel Sepulveda, in their ranks. His ability in front of goal tips the balance further in Cruz Azul’s favor and they can get the better of their visitors in Mexico City. 

This pair may be tied on points and goal difference in Liga MX but only one of them is in the ascendancy and Cruz Azul’s superior talent can show.

Cruz Azul to win to nil (+225)

Those wishing to back Cruz Azul but are put off by their relatively short price should consider backing them to beat Tigres without conceding, a feat they are certainly capable of. 

They limited Tigres to just one shot on target - which they scored, in fairness - in the first leg and a well-drilled defensive unit should limit them even more in front of a raucous and expectant home crowd. 

As aforementioned, Tigres’ away record is woeful, and the main reason for their struggles on the road is their inability to score goals.

Guido Pizarro’s side have blanked in seven of their last nine away games, including each of their last four, and they could go down without laying a glove on their hosts in Mexico City.

Under 2.5 goals (-107)

With a place in the final on the line, a cagey encounter could unfold in Mexico City. With that in mind, and Tigres seemingly incapable of scoring on their travels, under 2.5 goals makes great appeal from a betting perspective. 

That selection has landed in eight of Tigres’ last 10 away games - those 10 matches have produced just 13 goals in total - while it was also a winning bet in four of the last six meetings between the pair. 

Cruz Azul have scored more than one goal in just six of their last 15 matches, suggesting that while they look set for a spot in the final, they will do so by outclassing and limiting Tigres rather than routing them. 

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Cruz Azul vs. Tigres odds

Cruz Azul	-110
Tie	+250
Tigres	+260

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.