The Liga MX 2026 Clausura regular season continues with a compelling face-off as Mazatlan FC host Queretaro at the Estadio El Encanto, Mazatlan, on 18 April 2026 at 03:00 CEST. With both clubs seeking momentum as the season draws to a close, this fixture arrives steeped in tension and tactical intrigue. Mazatlan, enduring a challenging spell, hope to harness the energy of their home crowd to reverse their fortunes, while Queretaro arrive as narrow favourites, riding the wave of recent unbeaten form. The strategic nuance displayed by coaches Sergio Buono (Mazatlan FC) and Esteban González (Queretaro) will be vital as each team pursues three essential points in the battle for Liga MX survival and mid-table security.
Two standout players to closely follow in this encounter are Josué Miguel Nehemías Ovalle Aranda for Mazatlan FC, whose recent surge in attacking output signals danger for any defense, and the versatile Mateo Coronel from Queretaro, whose clinical finishing and movement off the ball have lifted his side in recent weeks.
Hot stat: In their last five matches, Queretaro have outshot their opponents with 58 total shots compared to Mazatlan’s 32, indicating a growing attacking intent that could shape the outcome here.
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Mazatlan FC vs Queretaro predictions
Me best bet: Both Teams To Score – Yes.
This pick stands out due to the defensive vulnerabilities and attacking patterns both sides have shown. Mazatlan conceded in every match of their last five, while Queretaro, despite improved form, have failed to register a clean sheet away from home. Both teams have attackers in form, notably Aranda and Coronel, suggesting we are likely to witness goals at both ends.
Mazatlan’s current style – marked by high foul counts (32 in five games) and considerable yellow card collection – reflects a combative approach, perhaps masking some systemic frailty at the back. Their ball progression has room for improvement (991 passes and a pass accuracy of 809% in recent matches, which seems an error – likely meant to be 80.9%). Queretaro emphasize width and overlapping fullbacks, which has yielded more corners (23 to Mazatlan’s 13 in five matches) and greater penetration in the final third. This clash of styles often leads to open, transitional football and scoring opportunities for both.
- ⚽Total Goals: Over 2.5
- 💥Both Teams To Score: Yes
- 🎯Total Corners: Over 9.5
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Mazatlan FC vs Queretaro Most recent H2Hs
| Statistic | Mazatlan FC | Queretaro |
|---|---|---|
| Total shots | 23 | 31 |
| Free kicks | 45 | 47 |
| Corner kicks | 13 | 17 |
| Total fouls | 38 | 40 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 78 | 71 |
| Interceptions | 21 | 29 |
| Offsides | 4 | 7 |
The recent head-to-head record highlights Queretaro’s narrow edge, with two consecutive 1-0 away wins against Mazatlan FC. While their most balanced encounter ended 2-2, the trend suggests closely contested games, with fine tactical margins and sporadic bursts of attacking quality. Queretaro’s ability to grind out results away from home has often tipped the scale in their favour.
🚨Read our full Mazatlan FC vs Queretaro stats for more analysis.
Key Stats
- Queretaro are unbeaten in their last five matches, securing two wins and three draws.
- Mazatlan FC have failed to win in their last four outings.
- In the last three H2Hs, Queretaro have earned two wins and a draw, conceding only twice.
- Mazatlan have conceded 28 goals this season, one of the poorest records in Liga MX 2026 Clausura.
- Queretaro average 11.6 total shots per game over the last five matches, compared to just 6.4 by Mazatlan FC.
- Corner kick advantage: Queretaro (23) vs Mazatlan (13) in their previous five games.
Mazatlan FC vs Queretaro score prediction: 1-2
Expect an open contest where both teams find the net, but Queretaro’s superior attacking numbers and recent form tip the balance. Mateo Coronel, in clinical touch, could prove decisive once again, while Mazatlan’s Josué Miguel Nehemías Ovalle Aranda looks likely to threaten from midfield. Defensively, Mazatlan’s struggle to resist sustained pressure might cost them, especially in the closing stages.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Queretaro the favourite
| Moneyline | Mazatlan FC 2.74 | Queretaro 2.56 | |
|---|---|---|
| Draw | 3.45 | |
| Over/Under | Over 2.5 2.10 | Under 2.5 1.75 | |
| BTTS (both teams to score) | Yes 1.68 | No 2.15 | |
The bookmakers lean only slightly towards Queretaro as favourites (37 percent implied), reflecting their marginally better form and recent H2H success. Nevertheless, odds remain tight, indicating the competitiveness of Liga MX’s mid-table clashes. The Over 2.5 line is attractively priced, with both sides’ recent goal trends and defensive issues supporting that market.
Mazatlan FC vs Queretaro Over/Under Analysis
- 4 of the last 5 Mazatlan FC matches saw at least 3 goals (Over 2.5 lands in 80 percent).
- Queretaro registered goals in 4 of their last 5 fixtures, highlighting attacking consistency.
- Both teams to score occurred in 3 of their past 5 Liga MX meetings.
- Average corners per match (last 5): Mazatlan 2.6, Queretaro 4.6.
Mazatlan FC Preview
Mazatlan FC’s recent results have been disappointing, with the side collecting only a single point from their last four games. Most recently, they succumbed 1-3 at home to Pumas U.N.A.M., highlighting ongoing defensive frailties – 28 goals conceded in 14 matches is a figure not easily overlooked. Despite a promising 4-2 win over Club Leon earlier in the campaign, consistency is elusive. Coach Sergio Buono’s deployment of a 3-1-4-2 has added attacking intent but isolated the backline on transitions, exposing them to counter-attacks and set-piece vulnerabilities.
Mazatlan FC possible starting eleven

- GK: Ricardo Rodríguez
- DF: Facundo Almada, Lucas Merolla, Sebastian Santos
- MF: Edgar Bárcenas, Josué Miguel Nehemías Ovalle Aranda, Said Godínez, Mauro Zaleta, Ángel Leyva
- FW: Brian Rubio, Fabio Gomes
Queretaro Preview
Queretaro approach this fixture buoyed by a six-match unbeaten record, combining resilience at the back with a revitalized frontline. Their last outing, a controlled 3-1 victory over Necaxa, showcased the attacking fluidity orchestrated by Esteban González. The tactical switch to 3-4-2-1 enables flexible movement between lines, leveraging surging fullbacks and the intelligent interplay of Jhojan Julio and Mateo Coronel to create overloads. Notably, their draw against Toluca underlined a growing defensive stability – back-to-back clean sheets and increased interception rates suggest a side maturing at a crucial stage.
Queretaro possible starting eleven

- GK: José Hernández
- DF: Jaime Gomez, Diego Reyes, Daniel Parra
- MF: Santiago Homenchenko, Jhojan Julio, Carlos Villanueva, Carlo Garcia
- FW: Lucas Rodriguez, Ali Ávila, Mateo Coronel

Mazatlan FC. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo
The Verdict
We, as the Tips.GG expert team, anticipate a narrow Queretaro victory thanks to their recent form, tactical discipline, and abundance of attacking outlets. The probability for a Queretaro win stands at 39 percent, per our dedicated AI-powered prediction engine, with a 33 percent chance for the draw and 28 percent for Mazatlan FC to secure three points. Expect both teams to trade blows but Queretaro’s sharper edge in both penalty areas should be decisive in this tightly contested Liga MX encounter.
How to watch Mazatlan FC vs Queretaro
When? 18 April 2026
Kick-off time: 03:00 CEST
Where? Estadio El Encanto, Mazatlan
How to watch: Local Liga MX broadcasters and global streaming partners (check local listings).
Favorite: Queretaro
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