Cruz Azul vs Santos Laguna

This Liga MX Apertura fixture carries real early-season stakes. Cruz Azul sit 9th with 9 points from six matches, while Santos Laguna are rooted to the bottom of the table without a single point from five games, making this a clear opportunity to kick-start their campaign. Form has been mixed for the Machine, who won, lost three straight, then bounced back with another victory. Santos, by contrast, have lost every league match so far, most recently falling 3-2 to Puebla, leaving them searching for answers heading into this trip. Keep an eye on Carlos Rodríguez, Cruz Azul's chief creator with two assists this season, and forward Christian Ebere, who has scored in each of his first two Apertura appearances. For Santos, attacker Aldo Lopez has been their most reliable scoring threat. Historically Cruz Azul hold the edge in this rivalry, with 19 wins to Santos Laguna's 13 and 6 draws between them. Our prediction: 2-0