Apertura 2026 matchday 14 preview: Monterrey host Chivas and América host Pachuca

This preview covers the seven Saturday and Sunday matches of matchday 14 of the Apertura 2026; the matchday began on Friday with Necaxa v Juárez and Atlante v San Luis. The one to watch is on Saturday at the Estadio BBVA: Monterrey, seventh on 20 points with a match in hand, host Guadalajara, second on 23. On Sunday the leaders, América, on 27, host Pachuca. After this one, three matchdays remain, and the top eight go straight to the Liguilla.

Saturday 24 October

León v Toluca (17:00 Mexico City time). At the Estadio León. León, fifth on 21 points, won 2–0 at Tigres with goals from Ismael Díaz in the 19th minute and Diber Cambindo in the 89th, and have four wins and two defeats at home. Toluca, fourth on 22, are without a win in five matches: on Wednesday they drew 2–2 with Tijuana. Their coach, Antonio Mohamed, admitted to Fox Sports México: ‘We are not finding our individual level’. León have not beaten Toluca in the last five meetings; Toluca won 4–1 at home in April 2026 and 4–2 away in October 2025, and in September won 2–0 in the Leagues Cup.

Monterrey v Guadalajara (20:00 Mexico City time). At the Estadio BBVA. Monterrey, coached by the former Guadalajara manager Matías Almeyda, won 4–1 in Puebla with goals from Diego Rossi, Hugo Cuypers, Lucas Ocampos and Roberto de la Rosa, and have won two in a row; at home they have four wins, a draw and a defeat. After that match, Almeyda told Récord that ‘this will be decided at the end’. Guadalajara beat Necaxa 1–0 with an own goal in the 77th minute, are unbeaten away (two wins and four draws) and have the best defence, with 12 goals conceded. According to Mediotiempo, Omar Govea is among the players Gabriel Milito is considering for this match. Guadalajara won the last two meetings: 3–2 away in March 2026 and 4–2 at home in November 2025; Monterrey won 3–1 at home in April 2025.

Pumas v Tigres (21:10 Mexico City time). At the Estadio Olímpico Universitario. Pumas, 11th on 16 points, lost 2–0 in Torreón after a sending-off in the 2nd minute, although Récord reports that the Disciplinary Commission has withdrawn the red card shown to centre-back Nathan Silva, who will be available; at home they have one win, three draws and two defeats. Juninho has eight goals. Tigres, 14th on 14, lost 2–0 at home to León and have not won away in the tournament (three draws and four defeats). Pumas won 1–0 at Tigres in January 2026; in September 2025 they drew 1–1 at Pumas.

Sunday 25 October

Atlas v Puebla (17:00 Mexico City time). At the Estadio Jalisco. Atlas, sixth on 21 points, lost 5–2 at home to América; they have won five of six away, but at home have one win, three draws and three defeats. Puebla, 13th on 16, lost 4–1 at home to Monterrey and are without a win in six. Atlas won the last four league meetings, the most recent 1–0 at home in January 2026.

Querétaro v Cruz Azul (19:00 Mexico City time). At the Estadio La Corregidora. Querétaro, eighth on 20 points from 12 matches, lost their last two: 5–0 in Torreón and 2–1 in San Luis. Cruz Azul, third on 23, won 2–1 in Pachuca with goals from Gabriel Fernández and Andrés Montaño (a penalty), and are unbeaten in four. Querétaro have not beaten Cruz Azul in the last five meetings; in April 2026 they drew 1–1 at Querétaro.

América v Pachuca (19:05 Mexico City time). At the Estadio Banorte. América lead on 27 points from 12 matches, have the best attack with 32 goals and are the only side unbeaten at home (three wins and two draws); on Wednesday they won 5–2 at the Jalisco with goals from Miguel Borja, Erick Sánchez, Brian Rodríguez, Álex Zendejas and Kevin Álvarez. Afterwards Guillermo Almada warned, according to Fox Sports México: ‘What worries me is the next match, against Pachuca’. Pachuca, 16th on 13, lost 2–1 at home to Cruz Azul and are without a win in five; Salomón Rondón is the tournament's top scorer with 13. América are unbeaten in the last four meetings with Pachuca: they drew 0–0 at Pachuca in January 2026 and América won 2–0 at home in August 2025.

Tijuana v Santos Laguna (21:10 Mexico City time). At the Estadio Caliente. Tijuana, tenth on 17 points from 12 matches, drew 2–2 in Toluca with goals from Elias Manoel and Yael Padilla, and their coach, Sebastián Abreu, was sent off in the 65th minute; Excélsior reports that the Disciplinary Commission has yet to announce his sanction. Tijuana are without a win in six and, according to Fox Sports México, are still waiting for Gilberto Mora's return. Santos Laguna, ninth on 19, have won six in a row; the latest was 2–0 against Pumas with two penalties, from Eduardo Aguirre and Franco Pardo. Santos won 2–1 away in March 2026 and 1–0 at home in September 2025; in April 2025 Tijuana won 4–0 away.

The table before the matchday

The top eight after matchday 17 go straight to the Liguilla, and there is no relegation this season. América, Monterrey, Querétaro and Tijuana have played 12 matches: América host Tijuana on 28 October, and Querétaro host Monterrey on 14 November.

1. América, 27 points (12 matches, +16)
2. Guadalajara, 23 (13, +8)
3. Cruz Azul, 23 (13, +7)
4. Toluca, 22 (13, +10)
5. León, 21 (13, +3)
6. Atlas, 21 (13, −2)
7. Monterrey, 20 (12, +6)
8. Querétaro, 20 (12, +1)
9. Santos Laguna, 19 (13, +3)
10. Tijuana, 17 (12, +1)

Behind them, Pumas, Atlético de San Luis and Puebla have 16; then come Tigres and Atlante (14), Pachuca (13), Necaxa (9) and Juárez (4).

Numbers to know

• Pachuca's Salomón Rondón has 13 goals; Juninho (Pumas) is next with eight.
• América have scored 32 goals, the most; Guadalajara have conceded 12, the fewest.
• Santos Laguna have won six in a row; Toluca and Pachuca are without a win in five, and Tijuana in six.
• Atlas have won five of their six away matches; Tigres have won none of their seven.

The full table and the kick-off times for the whole matchday are on the Liga MX page.

Sources for the context: Récord, Récord, Excélsior, Mediotiempo, Fox Sports México, Fox Sports México, Fox Sports México, Fox Sports México.