Cruz Azul vs. Puebla: How to Watch, Odds & Liga MX Schedule – January 17th
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The Clausura season of Liga MX is heating up, with Monterrey currently leading the charge as the only team with a perfect record. This Saturday, all eyes turn to Mexico City as a bolstered Cruz Azul side hosts Puebla on the CBS Sports Golazo Network, aiming for their second consecutive victory.
Match Details & Odds
Date: Saturday, January 17
Time: 10:05 p.m. ET
Location: Estadio Azteca – Mexico City, Mexico
TV: CBS Sports Golazo Network
Odds: Cruz Azul -190; Draw +310; Puebla +470
Cruz Azul’s Pursuit of Balance
Cruz Azul has undergone significant roster changes, with reports suggesting Mateusz Bogusz may be returning to Major League Soccer with the Houston Dynamo. Despite potential departures, the team appears strong, having strategically added Jose Paradela, Agustin Palavecino, and Jeremy Marquez to their midfield. This influx of talent signals a clear intention to build a more balanced squad, addressing a historical weakness.
Historically, Cruz Azul has struggled to translate offensive firepower into league championships. Despite consistently accumulating the most points in recent seasons – including a standout performance in the 2024-25 campaign – they haven’t lifted the Liga MX trophy since 2021. The issue, according to analysts, has been a lack of equilibrium between attack and defense.
With Liga MX’s playoff system, regular season points are valuable but don’t guarantee success. “Points only mean so much when you’ll have to take out the top sides in the league,” a senior soccer analyst noted. Manager Nicolas Larcamon faces the challenge of unlocking Cruz Azul’s potential and navigating the competitive playoff landscape.
Puebla’s Challenge and Key Absences for Cruz Azul
While Cruz Azul is favored, an improved Puebla side is expected to provide a stern test, even on the road. Cruz Azul will be without key players Andres Montano, Jesus Orozco, and Kevin Mier due to injury or other commitments. However, history is on their side, as they haven’t lost to Puebla since 2023.
Despite being heavily favored, the team must approach the match with seriousness. “It’s expected for it to be an easy win for Cruz Azul but they have to ensure that they take the match seriously because Puebla will make it a fight,” one source close to the team stated.
Liga MX Weekend Schedule
Here’s a look at the complete Liga MX schedule for the weekend:
Friday, January 16
- Mazaltan 1, Monterrey 5
Saturday, January 17
- Necaxa vs. Atlas, 6 p.m. ET
- Chivas Guadalajara vs. Querétaro, 6:07 p.m. ET
- Tigres UNAL vs. Toluca, 8 p.m. ET
- Cruz Azul vs. Puebla, 10:05 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Golazo Network
- Club Tijuana vs. Atletico San Luis, 10:06 p.m. ET
Sunday, January 18
- Pumas UNAM vs. Club Leon, 1 p.m. ET
- Santos Laguna vs. Juarez, 6 p.m. ET
- Pachuca vs. Club America, 8 p.m. ET
