Cruz Azul host Pachuca in both side's maiden Liga MX Clausura game of the season as they look to start their journey on a high.
Cruz Azul had a devastating Apertura phase as they finished third last with just 17 points and just two points off the foot of the table. With 10 defeats in 17 games, Azul would be vying to change their fortunes and weave better performances defensively as they finished joint-second in the most goals conceded in the Apertura.
Pachuca, on the other hand, finished the first phase with 22 points and managed two wins in their last three games. Erick Sanchez netted a thunderous hattrick to guide them to victory over Club Tijuana as they'll be looking to continue this good run.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.
Cruz Azul vs Pachuca kick-off time
| Date: | January 13, 2024 |
| Kick-off time: | 8:00 pm ET / 5:00 pm PT |
| Venue: | Estadio Azteca |
Cruz Azul will welcome Pachuca to the Estadio Azteca with kick-off scheduled at 8:00 pm ET / 5:00 pm PT in the US.
How to watch Cruz Azul vs Pachuca online - TV channels & live streams
 | Fubo | Watch here |
The Liga MX clash between Cruz Azul and Pachuca will be available to watch on Fubo TV in the US. Viewers can also get live updates on GOAL's Live Match Centre.
Team news & squads
Cruz Azul team news
Young defender Cristian Jimenez is the sole absentee for the home side after the Mexican picked up an ankle injury back in October.
Cruz Azul will bank on Angel Sepulveda to produce the goods in front of goal having already netted six this season. Uriel Antuna will support Sepulveda with the former bagging nine goal contributions in the Apertura with five goals and four assists.
Cruz Azul predicted XI: Gudino; Escobar, Ditta, Guerrero; Huesces, Rodriguez, Castano, Lira, Rivero; Sepulveda, Antuna
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers: | Jurado, Gudino |
| Defenders: | Salcedo, Ditta, Guerrero, Iturbide, Zubiri, Escoboza, Vargas, Escobar, Diaz |
| Midfielders: | Lira, Castano, Duenas, Rodriguez, Guiterrez, Rivero, Jimenez, Rotondi, Antuna, Huescas |
| Forwards: | Cambindo, Morales, Moises, Sepulveda |
Pachuca team news
Pachuca have two injury concerns with Israel Luna scheduled to return next month because of his knee injury and Romario Ibarra nursing a muscle problem making the latter doubtful for the fixture.
Paraguayan midfielder Celso Ortiz is also doubtful after picking up a meniscus injury ruling him out until March.
Erick Sanchez bagged himself a scintillating hattrick in Pachuca's previous clash as he is the club's top scorer with four goals and could cause problems in the opposing box.
Pachuca predicted XI: Moreno; Castillo, Cabral,Barreto, Rodriguez; Terans, Pedraza, Sanchez; Idrissi, Di Yorio, Hernandez
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers: | Moreno, Eulogio |
| Defenders: | Barreto, Cabral, L. Sanchez, Perez, B. Castillo, J. Castillo, Berlanga |
| Midfielders: | Montiel, Ortiz, Pedraza, E. Sanchez, Marchand, Lopez, Terans, Idrissi, D. Hernandez, Hinestroza, Rodriguez, Figueroa, Gonzalez |
| Forwards: | Di Yorio, De la Rosa, I. Hernandez |
Head-to-Head Record
| Date | Match | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Aug 2023 | Pachuca 1-0 Cruz Azul | Liga MX Apertura |
| 2 Apr 2023 | Pachuca 0-2 Cruz Azul | Liga MX Clausara |
| 10 Jul 2022 | Cruz Azul 1-2 Pachuca | Liga MX Apertura |
| 20 Mar 2022 | Pachuca 1-0 Cruz Azul | Liga MX Clausara |
| 30 Aug 2021 | Cruz Azul 1-2 Pachuca | Liga MX Apertura |