Kenya Sport

Monterrey vs Cruz Azul match preview: kick-off, venue & predictions

The next Monterrey match in the Liga MX Apertura 2026 sees them host Cruz Azul at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey. This Monterrey vs Cruz Azul preview focuses on a high-stakes clash in Apertura - 9, with kick-off scheduled for 2026-09-20T01:10:00Z. Fans wondering when Monterrey play next at home get a marquee encounter against a side currently higher in the standings.

The fixture is listed as Not Started, and with Cruz Azul sitting in the top four and Monterrey in mid-table, there is plenty riding on this one. Cruz Azul are pushing in the upper reaches of the Liga MX: Apertura table, while Monterrey need points to climb from the lower half. Recent head-to-head meetings have also tilted towards Cruz Azul, adding extra intrigue to this Monterrey vs Cruz Azul preview.

Match details: date, kick-off & venue

  • Competition: Liga MX, Apertura - 9
  • Date / Kick-off: 2026-09-20T01:10:00Z
  • Venue: Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
  • Status: Not Started

Standings & form

Monterrey come into this round ranked 12th in the Liga MX: Apertura standings with 10 points from 7 matches. Their overall record is 3 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats, with 13 goals scored and 10 conceded, for a goal difference of +3. At Estadio BBVA they have been relatively solid: in 4 home games, Monterrey have 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, scoring 10 and conceding 6. Away from home they have 1 win and 2 losses (3 scored, 4 conceded). Their recent league form string reads DLLWW, suggesting an upturn after a difficult spell.

Cruz Azul arrive in much stronger league position, sitting 4th in the Liga MX: Apertura table. They have collected 15 points from 8 matches, with a record of 5 wins and 3 defeats, no draws. They have scored 16 goals and conceded 14, giving them a goal difference of +2. On their travels, Cruz Azul have been effective, with 2 wins and 1 loss from 3 away fixtures, scoring 7 and conceding 5. Their form line of WWWLL shows three consecutive victories followed by two defeats, underlining a volatile but dangerous side.

Season statistics add more context. Monterrey have kept 2 clean sheets so far (1 at home, 1 away) and have failed to score in 2 matches. They have successfully converted 2 penalties from 2, a 100% record. Cruz Azul, by contrast, have only 1 clean sheet and have failed to score just once. Penalties have been an issue for them: they have taken 3, scoring 1 and missing 2. In terms of discipline, Monterrey have seen red cards shown in the 16–30 and 91–105 minute ranges this season, while Cruz Azul’s card profile is concentrated in yellow cards between 31–75 minutes.

Head-to-head

  • 2026-03-18T03:00:00Z: Cruz Azul 1–1 Monterrey (CONCACAF Champions League)
  • 2026-03-11T01:00:00Z: Monterrey 2–3 Cruz Azul (CONCACAF Champions League)
  • 2026-03-01T01:05:00Z: Monterrey 0–2 Cruz Azul (Liga MX)
  • 2025-10-26T03:05:00Z: Cruz Azul 2–0 Monterrey (Liga MX)
  • 2025-03-09T01:05:00Z: Cruz Azul 1–1 Monterrey (Liga MX)
  • 2024-07-14T03:10:00Z: Monterrey 0–4 Cruz Azul (Liga MX)
  • 2024-05-20T00:00:00Z: Cruz Azul 1–2 Monterrey (Liga MX)
  • 2024-05-17T03:00:00Z: Monterrey 0–1 Cruz Azul (Liga MX)
  • 2024-04-07T03:05:00Z: Cruz Azul 2–1 Monterrey (Liga MX)
  • 2023-08-28T02:05:00Z: Monterrey 1–2 Cruz Azul (Liga MX)

The head-to-head record in these ten listed matches clearly favours Cruz Azul. They have won repeatedly in Monterrey, including 3–2 and 2–0 victories at Estadio BBVA, and a dominant 4–0 away win in 2024. Monterrey’s only success in this sequence came with a 2–1 away win on 2024-05-20. There have been a couple of draws (both 1–1), but overall Cruz Azul have enjoyed the upper hand both in Liga MX and in the recent CONCACAF Champions League tie.

Key players to watch

  • L. Ocampos (Monterrey) — 5 goals and 1 assist in Liga MX 2026, a major attacking threat and reliable penalty taker.
  • D. Rossi (Monterrey) — 2 goals and 3 assists, providing creativity and end product in the final third.
  • J. Márquez (Cruz Azul) — 3 goals and 1 assist from defence, contributing at both ends of the pitch.
  • N. Ibáñez (Cruz Azul) — 3 goals, a key attacking option up front.
  • C. Rodríguez (Cruz Azul) — league-leading creator with 5 assists, central to Cruz Azul’s build-up play.
  • J. Paradela (Cruz Azul) — 2 goals and 4 assists, another major creative outlet.
  • L. Romero (Cruz Azul) — 1 goal and 2 assists, adding depth and impact in attack.

Prediction

The data-driven Monterrey vs Cruz Azul prediction leans towards the visitors avoiding defeat. The prediction model gives Monterrey a 10% chance of victory, with both the draw and a Cruz Azul win rated at 45% each. The advice is a combo double chance: draw or Cruz Azul and +1.5 goals, indicating expectations of a relatively open game where Cruz Azul’s stronger recent record and superior position in the standings could translate into at least a point at Estadio BBVA.

Related Articles