With the Estadio Cuauhtémoc set to pulsate under the January night sky, all eyes turn to Puebla as they lock horns with Mazatlan FC in the Liga MX 2026 Clausura Regular Season. Scheduled for 14 January 2026 at 01:00 CEST, this early season clash holds renewed significance for both sides coming off stuttering openings. Puebla, guided by Albert Espigares, seeks a response after a narrow defeat, while Robert Siboldi’s Mazatlan will chase their first victory of the campaign amidst heightened tactical scrutiny.
Within both squads, emphasis falls upon the creative midfield prowess of Alejandro Organista for Puebla—a player whose composure and passing range have become the team’s lifeblood. For Mazatlan FC, watch for the defensive tenacity of Facundo Almada, not only the lone scorer in their opener but a leader whose ability to marshal the backline is indispensable.
Notably, Puebla managed 15 shots in their previous outing, reflecting an offensive willingness yet lacking a clinical edge. This statistic underlines both their attacking intent and the ruthless necessity to convert chances at this competitive Liga MX level.
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Puebla vs Mazatlan FC predictions
My best bet: Puebla to win. In a contest where both teams are striving to reverse slow starts to the Clausura, Puebla’s home advantage and superior shooting metrics position them favorably. Their high number of shot attempts—despite the 0-1 loss to Atlas—indicates a proactive philosophy under Espigares, which, if paired with marginal improvements in finishing, should allow the hosts to edge a Mazatlan side that struggled to impose themselves against Juarez.
Both teams displayed caution and discipline; Puebla accumulated 17 fouls and 2 yellow cards in their recent league match, while Mazatlan FC registered 15 fouls and 1 yellow card. Ball recovery has been robust (6 and 5 interceptions respectively per team last match), but ball progression remains an open question: Puebla’s 471 passes with 79% accuracy outshine Mazatlan’s 322 passes at 78%. Expect Puebla to attempt dictating tempo, leveraging verticality while Mazatlan FC persists with a reactive, organized shape.
Prop picks by me:
- ⚽Total Goals: Under 2.5
- 💥Both Teams To Score: No
- 🎯Total Corners: Under 8.5
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Puebla vs Mazatlan FC Most recent H2Hs
| Statistic | Puebla | Mazatlan FC |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 4 |
| Total shots | 18 | 18 |
| Free kicks | 26 | 28 |
| Corner kicks | 9 | 10 |
| Total fouls | 49 | 41 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 81 | 76 |
| Interceptions | 17 | 18 |
| Offsides | 4 | 5 |
Historically, these meetings have been cagey: Mazatlan FC has edged recent fixtures, winning the last two by the narrowest of margins (2-1 and 1-0), with Puebla’s attack often frustrated by Mazatlan’s resolute defensive posture. Both teams are disciplined in midfield but struggle for offensive fluidity, leading to low-scoring, tightly contested games.
🚨Read our full Puebla vs Mazatlan FC stats for more analysis.
Key Stats
- Puebla outshot Mazatlan 15 to 4 in their opening Clausura match—highest shot discrepancy of the round.
- No wins recorded by either side in their last five Liga MX matches across all competitions.
- Puebla averages more passes per match (471 vs 322) and marginally better pass accuracy (79% vs 78%).
- Mazatlan’s Facundo Almada scored in the opening fixture and leads the team with most clearances and defensive actions.
- The last three Liga MX head-to-head meetings produced fewer than three total goals each time.
Puebla vs Mazatlan FC score prediction: 1-0
Expect a tightly contested affair, with Puebla’s volume of chances and home support tipping the balance. The creative distribution of Alejandro Organista from midfield, paired with pressing contributions from Fernando Monarrez, should eventually unlock Mazatlan’s defensive lines. Mazatlan, relying primarily on Almada’s set-piece threat and counter-attack, may find clear opportunities scarce. A single goal, likely from Puebla’s forward line, could decide a contest defined by structure and patience.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Puebla the favourite
| Moneyline | Puebla 1.95 | Mazatlan FC 3.75 | |
|---|---|---|
| Draw | 3.48 | |
| Over/Under | Over 2.5 2.10 | Under 2.5 1.68 | |
| BTTS (both teams to score) | Yes 2.05 | No 1.70 | |
Oddsmakers install Puebla as a moderately strong favorite, aptly reflecting their historical home resilience and improved underlying metrics. The short price on under 2.5 goals and ‘No’ on both teams to score signals a widely shared expectation of a tightly controlled, low-scoring match—with Puebla’s superior passing and attacking intent justifying their edge despite inconsistent recent results.
Puebla vs Mazatlan FC Over/Under Analysis
- All of their last three league encounters finished under 2.5 goals.
- Puebla has scored just once in their last three Liga MX home matches.
- Mazatlan FC has not scored more than one goal in an away fixture since October 2025.
- Both teams’ xG (expected goals) metrics are below league average this season.
- Under 2.5 is a consistent value pick based on recent trends and styles of play.
Puebla Preview
Puebla enters this contest off a close 0-1 defeat to Atlas, defined by profligate finishing despite dominating possession (471 passes, 79% accuracy) and shot count (15). The team defended aggressively, amassing 17 fouls and maintaining attacking intent throughout the match. Creativity from Organista in midfield and forward runs from Garnica and Gómez will be pivotal, but sharper finishing is essential if Puebla is to capitalize in front of their supporters. The hallmark 4-3-1-2 formation under Espigares insists on midfield compactness and quick transitions, seeking vertical progression against compact defensive blocks.

Puebla possible starting eleven
- GK: Jesus Rodriguez
- DF: Rodrigo Pachuca, Luis Rey, Nicolás Díaz, Owen González
- MF: Alejandro Organista, Carlos Baltazar, Iker Moreno
- FW: Emiliano Gómez, Brayan Garnica, Esteban Lozano
Mazatlan FC Preview
Mazatlan FC comes into Puebla after a hard-fought yet ultimately disappointing 1-2 defeat against Juarez. While lacking offensive output (just 4 shots all match), Siboldi’s men demonstrated discipline in their 4-2-3-1 setup, focusing on containment and counters. Facundo Almada was a clear standout, both scoring the team’s only goal and spearheading defensive organization. Improvement is needed in midfield progression and wing play—recent pass volume (322) and only 1 corner earned reflect Mazatlan’s more reactive approach. Defensive focus and exploiting set pieces will likely be key themes in this outing.

Mazatlan FC possible starting eleven
- GK: Ricardo Rodríguez
- DF: Facundo Almada, Jair Díaz, Jordan Sierra, Christopher Castro
- MF: Edgar Bárcenas, Jefferson Intriago, Mauro Zaleta, Ángel Saavedra
- FW: Jesús Hernández, Fabio Gomes
Our prediction: Who Wins?
Our main pick: Puebla to win. Backed by home support, tactical control in possession, and a more progressive attack, Puebla holds a 48% AI-driven probability to secure victory, while Mazatlan’s blunt edge away remains a concern. Expect a hard-fought, narrow win—most likely 1-0 or 2-0, as the hosts’ vertical thrust and energy eventually crack Mazatlan’s compact defense. Both teams’ conservative records and difficulty scoring reinforce the predicted modest scoreline.
How to watch Puebla vs Mazatlan FC
When? 14 January 2026, Kick-off: 01:00 CEST
Where? Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Puebla, MX
How to watch: Available through Mexican Liga MX rights holders and official online streaming services.
Favorite: Puebla
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Mazatlan FC. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo

