League Leader Cruz Azul Looks to Continue Unbeaten Run Against Toluca

New league leader Cruz Azul plays host to Toluca, as two of Mexico’s best teams square off in action of Week 6 in Liga MX.

After crushing Club León 3-0, Cruz Azul arrives to this match at the very top of the league table with 13 points. In addition to being currently the best team in Mexico, Pedro Caixinha’s men are the only undefeated team left in the Apertura.

Toluca, on the other hand, present themselves on the back of two straight victories. The Diablos Rojos had practically a perfect week, shocking Tigres at the Estadio Universitario to hand them their first defeat in 29 league home games and then thumping Xolos de Tijuana 3-0. At the moment, Toluca sits in eighth place with 10 points, the product of three wins, one draw and one defeat.

The visiting Club Toluca is a moneyline underdog with the total set at 2.5.

To see the Club Toluca-Cruz Azul matchup page, click here.

Home sweet home

Cruz Azul’s progress this season has shocked just about everybody in Liga MX. In particular, one of the major doubts about the Cementeros coming into this season was how they would cope with the change in stadium. With the Estadio Azteca becoming their new home following the demolition of the Estadio Azul, Cruz Azul has actually surpassed expectations. So far this semester, the Cementeros are unbeaten at the Estadio Azteca, as well as boasting a perfect record at home in Liga MX with three victories in three matches. Perhaps most surprising of all, attendance figures have been skyrocketing, even surpassing those of Club América at the Estadio Azteca. The Azteca is suddenly becoming a real home for Cruz Azul, and in turn, they are becoming a hard team to beat.

Diablos Rojos tend to struggle outside of Toluca

While Toluca’s record-spoiling win over Tigres at the Estadio Universitario was no doubt impressive, in general the Diablos Rojos have left plenty to be desired when playing away from home. In fact, Toluca has just one win in its last seven matches away from home in all competitions, including five defeats. Even when talking about Toluca’s win at Tigres, you can argue there was a degree of flukiness to it. One of the main reasons the Diablos Rojos were able to escape with a win was that Tigres had a man sent off early on in the match. What’s more, Tigres eventually went down to nine men. This is not to discount the talent available within Toluca, but they generally don’t do so hot outside the vicinity of the Nemesio Diez.

All in all, Cruz Azul looks solid

It's no coincidence that after five weeks Cruz Azul has the best defensive record of all of Liga MX. Coach Pedro Caixinha has led a defensive revolution within the club, and at the heart of the Cementeros’ success is their mental toughness. The only goal they have conceded in this Apertura was against Xolos de Tijuana in Week 4, a game in which they played the majority of the match with 10 men. In both that game and the one after, Cruz Azul found a way to overcome an early sending-off, they managed to keep their defensive structure, and were even able to find the back of the net. It’s that sort of resilience that has many in Mexico thinking Cruz Azul can go all the way.

Totals Bettors Might Consider The OVER

Of the last 10 league clashes between these two teams, the OVER has hit a total of two times. The OddsShark Super Computer is predicting a Cruz Azul moneyline win with the total going OVER.

Bettors should note: The OVER has hit in two of Cruz Azul’s three Liga MX matches at the Estadio Azteca since officially making the stadium their new home.