Seattle Sounders vs. UNAM Pumas: Picks, Predictions and Odds

We're up to the round of 16 in the Leagues Cup, and Seattle hosts UNAM Pumas on Monday in a rematch of the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League final.

The Sounders, who won that contest over two legs, are also past finalists in this competition. They finished second to Necaxa in West 6 before beating LA Galaxy 3-1 in the first knockout stage. 

They now welcome the Pumas to Lumen Field. The Mexican outfit finished second to Austin FC in West 1 before seeing off Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 in the final 32.

After victory in British Columbia, Pumas travel south to Seattle and are the underdogs to progress to the quarterfinals against Los Angeles FC or San Jose Earthquakes.

Seattle Sounders vs. UNAM Pumas betting picks and predictions

Seattle to win (+125)

Home advantage can be crucial in the Leagues Cup and Seattle has won two of their three Leagues Cup games at Lumen Field.

Pumas made a flying start to the Liga MX Apertura, taking 10 points from their opening four games and have looked good on the road. They are unbeaten in their last eight, including a penalty shootout win in this competition at Monterrey before getting the better of of another Pacific Northwest side, Vancouver.

However, their travel has to catch up with them at some point and Monday might be that night. In the CONCACAF Champions League final in May 2022, after drawing 2-2 at home in Mexico City, they lost 3-0 in Seattle in the second leg.

One of Seattle's heroes, Peru's Raul Ruidiaz, is still at the club but misses this game with a knee injury, while Nicolas Lodeiro has moved on to Orlando City.

Discipline was Pumas' main issue across those ties. They conceded two penalties in the home tie, which Lodeiro converted.

They will need to be tight but Seattle looks to have the edge and could also target set-pieces, with all three goals against Galaxy coming through defenders in Yeimar, Jackson Ragen and Alex Roldan.

Seattle also has a good record against Mexican sides. While they lost to Necaxa, they took down Tigres and Santos Laguna on their way to losing the final of this competition to Club Leon in 2021 and also took out Club Leon as part of their Champions League success.

Over 3.5 goals (+175)

The Leagues Cup has been full of goals, with an average of 2.75 per game scored across the tournament.

This pair combined for seven goals across their two-legged continental final meetings two years ago and could go big again, with both aiming to avoid an early exit from this competition.

Seattle's last two home games have gone over 3.5 goals and a repeat is a real possibility.

Chino Huerta anytime scorer (+250)

Even if Seattle wins, they will still be troubled and Pumas' player to watch is forward Chino Huerta. 

The 23-year-old has shone since signing from Chivas two years ago, finishing last season's Liga MX with 11 goals and has scored three times in his last seven outings.

Those goals include the opener against Vancouver and after breaking his duck for this competition, could be ready to go at Lumen Field.

Seattle has just one clean sheet in their last four games so their defence is vulnerable and Huerta could grab a goal.

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Seattle Sounders vs. UNAM Pumas odds

Seattle Sounders	+125
Tie	+230
UNAM	+220

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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.