Preview
Tigres UANL and Puebla are set to clash in an exciting Liga MX match at the Estadio Universitario. Tigres, known for their solid home performances and passionate fanbase, will be looking to secure a vital win. Meanwhile, Puebla aims to pull off an upset and boost their standings. This encounter promises to be a thrilling affair as both teams strive for crucial points in the league.
The Tigres play Puebla on Thursday morning at the Shell Energy Stadium to begin their League Cup campaign.
Even if the teams’ most recent matches produced very different outcomes, we still anticipate a fiercely contested match.
At Estadio Laguna on Sunday, the Tigres defeated Santos Laguna 3-0 to maintain their excellent start to the season.
Just after the hour, Andre-Pierre Gignac gave Veljko Paunovic’s team the lead. Goals from Ozziel Herrera and Nicolas Ibanez then sealed the victory.
As a result, Los Auriazules have risen to a tie for third place in the Liga MX standings with Pumas and Cruz Azul, forming an early three-way tie for first place.
Next up is a rival team that hasn’t won in the last six iterations of this matchup in any competition since the beginning of last year.
After Thursday’s game, the Tigres have a difficult task against Inter Miami, so they now aim for a victory in Houston that would improve their spirits.
Recent Form
Tigres UANL (all competitions)
- Form: L D W D W W
- Tigres have shown a mix of results recently but have managed to secure wins in their last two matches, indicating they are in good form heading into this fixture.
Puebla (all competitions)
- Form: W L D L L L
- Leagues Cup Form: L
- Puebla’s recent form has been shaky, with three consecutive losses. Their Leagues Cup performance also started with a defeat, putting them under pressure to improve.
Puebla lost 2-0 against Inter Miami in their match played on Sunday at Chase Stadium, their third loss in the last four games.
Matias Rojas’s first goal put Jose Manuel de la Torre’s team behind early in the game, and Luis Suarez sealed the victory eighteen minutes from the end.
Following a 2-1 loss against Atlas, which left Los Camoteros with four points from as many league games as of yet, they were ranked 13th in the Liga MX table.
Puebla is hoping to avoid losing in the group stage of the Leagues Cup for the second time in a row, and they are aware that a loss in this match may mean the end of their cup journey.
Team News
Tigres UANL
- Ozziel Herrera and Nicolas Ibanez will both be pushing for a place in Tigres’ starting XI, having come off the bench to good effect last time out.
- Sebastián Córdova, who grabbed the win in March’s clash involving Thursday’s opponents, will be looking to deliver the goods once again.
- Diego Reyes recently left Puebla as a free agent, and the goalkeeper is not available for selection in this one.
Puebla
- Forward Lucas Cavallini will need to be on song if his side are to emerge victorious, having scored four of their last five goals.
- Puebla has a relatively fit squad, with only a few concerns regarding injuries and suspensions.
Predicted Lineups
Tigres UANL (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper: Tapia
- Defenders: Garza, Reyes, Pizarro, and Aquino
- Midfielders: Carioca, Gorriarán
- Attacking Midfielders: Córdova, Vigón, and Flores
- Forward: Gignac
Puebla (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper: Jiménez
- Defenders: Ferrareis, Gularte, Orona, and Rodríguez
- Midfielders: De Buen, Castillo, and Herrera
- Forwards: Cavallini, Velasco, Ormeño
Prediction
Tigres, playing at home, will have the upper hand in this match. Their attacking prowess and experienced squad should give them an edge over Puebla. However, Puebla has shown resilience and could surprise the hosts if they capitalise on their chances.
