Juarez will be looking to claim their first win of the new Liga MX campaign when they host Pumas at Estadio Olimpico Benito Juarez on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the league season and secure a first away victory.

Match preview

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Juarez's search for their opening win of the new Liga MX season continued on Sunday with a 3-2 defeat to Toluca, despite a spirited comeback.

Los Bravos found themselves 2-0 down at half-time after Paulinho's 10th-minute goal and an own goal from centre-back Moises Mosquera.

However, Mauricio Barbieri's side fought back with goals from Jesus Venegas and Angel Zaldivar, but Paulinho's second of the game sealed Juarez's first loss of the season.

This result leaves the Chihuahua-based club 12th in the table with one point from two matches, having conceded a league-high five goals alongside bottom-placed Queretaro.

The quest for a first victory will continue at home against Pumas on Thursday, but history is not on their side, as the hosts have won just three of their 13 meetings with Pumas, losing five.

Los Bravos are also winless in their last three competitive home games, drawing two and losing one, which leaves a lot of doubt on their ability to pick up a win on Thursday.

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Pumas have made a strong start to the season, picking up four points from their opening two matches to sit third in the table and joint-second for goals scored with five.

Gustavo Lema's side will be pleased with their start after a disappointing end to last season, where they failed to win their final two matches.

A 4-1 opening-day victory set the tone, followed by a 1-1 draw with Santos Laguna on Saturday in a game where they recorded 28 attempts on goal.

Extending their unbeaten run will be Pumas' aim on Thursday, but they have a poor away record against Juarez, losing three, drawing three and winning just once in seven visits.

Team News

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Juarez will be without a number of players, including midfielder Manuel Castro, who is sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury until next year.

Bryan Romero is out with a knee injury and will not return until January, while Denzell Garcia has a muscle injury that will keep him out until August.

Diego Valoyes will need to overcome a hamstring injury to play in this match, but he is doubtful at present.

Pumas have a full squad available for this game, giving Lema plenty of options to choose from.

Jorge Ruvalcaba scored twice in the season opener and is one to watch, while Cesar Huerta also found the net in the last game and will be looking to score again.

Juarez possible starting lineup:
Jurado; Fernando, Mosquera, Calvo, Orquin; Venegas, Campillo; Hurtado, Villalpando, Torres; Zaldiva

Pumas possible starting lineup:
Gonzalez; Bennevendo, Magallan, Nathan, Ramirez; Caicedo, Suarez, U Rivas, Ruvalcaba, Huerta; Mori

We say: Juarez 1-1 Pumas

Juarez have been conceding goals freely so far and this could prove costly as they desperately seek their first victory of the season.

While Pumas are in better shape, they have often found it difficult to win at Juarez, but they look capable of at least securing a draw in this match.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Joshua Cole

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