Puebla vs Guadalajara – News and Probable Lineups

Seeking to bounce back from the loss to Cruz Azul last week, Puebla is set to host CD Guadalajara at Estadio Cuauhtemoc this Friday night, aiming for a full three points in their first home game of the Liga MX season.

Both teams have experienced a varied start to the new Apertura campaign, each earning three points out of a possible six, and they currently sit narrowly outside of the crucial top eight spots as they enter the third game week.

Match overview

Despite having to play the last 30 minutes of their opening Apertura match a man down, Gerardo Espinoza’s side managed to secure a 1-0 victory over Juarez, demonstrating commendable resolve.

Unfortunately, those fighting spirit qualities failed to yield results last time out, even though Fernando Monarrez’s goal in the 28th minute gave La Franja an initial 1-0 advantage over Cruz Azul.

On this occasion, the Sweet Potatoers fell victim to conceding two late goals, allowing the equalizer right before halftime and succumbing to Osinachi Ebere’s strike in the 82nd minute.

With no reply in the dying minutes, Espinoza’s men head into the third game week of the Apertura with three points from their opening two rounds, tied with the visiting side this weekend.

While fans will hope for a return to winning ways, recent encounters do not offer much encouragement for that hope.

Indeed, Chivas have had the upper hand over their opponents in the last three meetings since a 1-0 loss in October 2024.

The following encounters have resulted in scorelines of 1-0, 2-0, and 5-0 in favor of Guadalajara, underscoring the gulf in quality that Gabriel Milito aims to uphold this weekend, as Rojiblancos strive for their fourth consecutive win in this fixture.

The former centre-back is into his second year in charge, having taken over in May 2025 after Espinoza’s departure the month prior, leading the club to a sixth-place finish in the Apertura 2025 and second in the Clausura, eventually reaching the semi-finals in the latter’s playoff phase following the regular season.

Sustaining those coveted positions is essential for Milito and his squad, but the Apertura campaign began slowly for them as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Toluca.

Chivas were already trailing 1-0 when Angel Sepulveda received a red card shortly after the second half began, and they conceded another goal 15 minutes before the final whistle.

Nevertheless, Chivas Rayadas responded with a strong performance, even if it only reflected in their last-minute 1-0 victory marked by Roberto Alvarado’s 96th-minute goal.

This was a well-deserved result for Chivas in a match where they recorded 22 shots compared to Juarez’s six, creating four clear chances as the Guadalajara team looks to continue their impressive form against the home team this weekend.

Team News

After completing his suspension for denying a goalscoring opportunity against Juarez in the first match week, Iker Moreno may make his return to the Puebla lineup for this weekend’s fixture.

New addition Alberto Herrera has already provided assists in the first two game weeks, and the former Mazatlan midfielder will be looking to create a positive impact against Chivas.

Although Sepulveda received only a one-match ban for violent conduct in matchday one, there are multiple reports suggesting that his availability for the weekend may be uncertain due to an ankle injury.

Consequently, Alvarado is expected to be partnered again in attack by Armando Gonzalez, with the former scoring the only goal in the match against Juarez in week two.

After missing several promising scoring chances last time out, Bryan Gonzalez aims to make a significant contribution from left wing-back against Puebla.

Puebla probable starting XI:

Gutierrez; Leyva, Almada, Vargas, Monarrez; Sanabria, Herrera; Velasco, Organist, Gomez; Hernandez

CD Guadalajara probable starting XI:

Rangel; Romo, Castillo, Aguirre; F. Gonzalez; Ledezma, Gutierrez, Carrillo, B. Gonzalez; Alvarado, A. Gonzalez

The hosts have faced significant struggles in this matchup over the last year, enduring three consecutive losses without managing to score a single goal.

With Herrera injecting enthusiasm into Los Camoteros, they will certainly be a challenge, but Chivas possess superior quality throughout their squad and are likely to secure a comfortable away victory.