Necaxa will look to quickly bounce back from an opening day defeat when they host Puebla on matchday two of the 2024 Liga MX campaign at Estadio Victoria.
Meanwhile, the visitors got off to a winning start and will be hoping to win successive away games against the hosts, which would see them remain perfect after two league matches.
Match preview
Necaxa had a forgettable Apertura campaign last season, finishing bottom of the table, and they have failed to start another season positively, losing 1-0 to Tigres on the opening day.
Eduardo Fentanes's men failed to find a response after 38-year-old former Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac scored from the penalty spot in the 19th minute.
Los Rayos, who failed to progress past the play-in stage of the Clausura despite finishing ninth during the regular season, extending their wait for a league title to over two decades, would have hoped for a better start.
Necaxa have now lost their last two matches in all competitions, while they have only won one of their last five, losing the other four.
To get back on track, Fentanes's side must break a current streak, as the hosts of this fixture have not won in the last six encounters.
Puebla had an impressive Apertura campaign last term, finishing in the top four, and they have kicked off the new one on the right foot, picking up a 1-0 victory over Santos Laguna thanks to a 96th-minute penalty from Lucas Cavallini.
After finishing bottom of the Clausura standings, while ending the season with seven consecutive defeats, it was important for Los Camoteros to start the new season with a win.
Jose Manuel de la Torre was appointed for the final match last season, making the victory over Santos only his second match as Puebla's manager, and it seems like he has addressed the problems affecting the team.
After conceding 43 goals in their 17 Clausura matches, seven more than any other side in the division, it was a relief for the visitors to keep a clean sheet in their first match of the season.
Los Camoteros will be hoping for a repeat of Friday's performance when they face a Necaxa side that have scored in their last five encounters.
Team News
Necaxa have almost every player available for selection, with only winger Alek Alvarez likely to be on the sideline due to a shoulder injury.
2024 Clausura joint-top scorer Diber Cambindo, who is on loan from Cruz Azul, is expected to retain his spot in attack once again.
Puebla have just one player unavailable for selection, as Facundo Waller, is still on the road to recover from his knee injury.
Center-forward Cavallini, who is on his second stint with Los Camoteros, will be hoping to add more to his tally after opening his account in the previous match.
Necaxa possible starting lineup:
Unsain; Martinez, Pena, Oliveros, Mayorga; Palavecino, Arce; Garnica, Paradela, Monreal; Cambindo
Puebla possible starting lineup:
Rodriguez; Gustavo, Gularte, Angulo, Olmedo; De Buen; Velasco, Waller, Castillo, Alvarez; Cavallini
We say: Necaxa 1-1 Puebla
The last six meetings between these two sides have seen the home team fail to win, and we expect this trend to continue on Sunday, given Necaxa's recent inconsistency at home.
Puebla also look like a rejuvenated side, and they have not lost on their last four visits to Necaxa.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
body check tags ::
Previews by email
