Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas): Preview, Prediction, Lineups

Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas) — Match Preview

The tension will be palpable at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario this Sunday evening as Cruz Azul host Guadalajara (Chivas) for the decisive second leg of their Liga MX Apertura 2025 Quarterfinal.¹ After a tense, tactical 0-0 draw in the first leg at Estadio Akron, the tie is perfectly poised.

For Cruz Azul, the mission is clear: win at home to advance. Finishing 3rd in the regular season gives them the advantage of advancing in case of a tied aggregate score (depending on specific season rules, often position in table is the tiebreaker, meaning a draw could be enough for La Máquina, but they won’t want to risk it). However, they come into this game reeling from the devastating loss of goalkeeper Kevin Mier, who suffered a fractured tibia just before the Liguilla.²

Chivas, seeded 6th, finished the season strong under Gabriel Milito (implied coach for 2025 timeline) but failed to capitalize on their home advantage in the first leg. They now face the daunting task of winning in Mexico City without key defenders like Gilberto Sepúlveda to keep their championship dreams alive.

Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas) — Quick Match Info

Fixture: Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas)
Competition: Liga MX Apertura 2025 (Quarterfinal – Second Leg)
Venue: Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Mexico City (Capacity: 58,445)³
Date: Sunday, 30 November 2025
Kickoff Time: 19:00 CST (Local) / 01:00 GMT (Monday) / 06:30 IST (Monday)
Referee: TBC
TV Channel (Mexico): TUDN, Canal 5⁴
TV Channel (USA): Univision, TUDN⁵
TV Channel (India): No official broadcast (Live stream via betting sites likely)
Live Stream: ViX+, TUDN App

Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas) — Match Context (2025 Season)

Cruz Azul:

Seed: 3rd (35 Points).⁶
Form: Stuttering. While they finished high, they have only won 2 of their last 5 games. The 0-0 first leg draw was a solid defensive result, but the 2-3 loss to Pumas in the regular season finale exposed cracks.
Current Challenge: Life without Kevin Mier. Replacement goalkeeper Andrés Gudiño faces the biggest pressure test of his career.

Guadalajara (Chivas):

Seed: 6th (29 Points).
Form: Resilient. Undefeated in their last 5 games (3 wins, 2 draws). They have tightened up defensively, keeping clean sheets in their last two outings.
Current Challenge: Breaking down Cruz Azul away. They struggled to create clear chances in the first leg and must be more clinical here.

Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas) — What’s at Stake

For Cruz Azul:

Semi-Final Spot: As the higher seed, a draw or win sends them through (assuming table position tiebreaker applies). Elimination at the hands of Chivas would be a disaster after such a strong regular season.

For Guadalajara (Chivas):

Upset Potential: Chivas thrives as the underdog. Eliminating a top-3 team would validate their late-season surge and make them instant title contenders.

Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas) — Team Form

Cruz Azul (Last 5 Matches):

D vs Chivas (0-0 – QF Leg 1)
L vs UNAM Pumas (2-3)⁷
W vs Puebla (3-0)
W vs Monterrey (2-0)
D vs Necaxa (1-1)

Guadalajara Chivas (Last 5 Matches):

D vs Cruz Azul (0-0 – QF Leg 1)
W vs Monterrey (4-2)⁸
W vs Pachuca (1-0)
W vs Atlas (4-1)
L vs Querétaro (0-1)

Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas) — Team News

Cruz Azul:

Kevin Mier: Out (Fractured Tibia – Massive loss.⁹ Out for months).
Andrés Montaño: Out (Knee Injury).
Gonzalo Piovi: Available. The defensive leader must step up to protect Gudiño.
Giorgos Giakoumakis: Expected to lead the line and break the deadlock.

Guadalajara (Chivas):

Gilberto Sepúlveda: Out (Ankle Injury – A huge blow to the backline).
Dylan Campillo: Out (Foot Injury).
Miguel Tapias: Out (Thigh Injury).
Bryan González: Questionable (Injury – Late fitness test).
Roberto Alvarado: The “Piojo” is fit and will be the primary creative spark.

Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas) — Head to Head

28 Nov 2025: Chivas 0–0 Cruz Azul (Playoff)
31 Aug 2025: Chivas 1–2 Cruz Azul
30 Mar 2025: Chivas 0–1 Cruz Azul¹⁰
22 Sep 2024: Cruz Azul 1–0 Chivas¹¹
22 Jun 2024: Chivas 4–3 Cruz Azul (Friendly)
Analysis: Cruz Azul has dominated this fixture recently, winning 3 of the last 4 competitive meetings.

Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas) — Predicted Lineups

Cruz Azul (5-4-1 / 3-4-3):

Coach Nicolás Larcamón (2025 context) will prioritize solidity to protect his backup keeper but rely on wing-backs for width.

GK: Andrés Gudiño¹²
RWB: Jorge Sánchez
CB: Willer Ditta
CB: Erik Lira (Dropping deep)
CB: Gonzalo Piovi
LWB: Rodolfo Rotondi
CM: Carlos Rodríguez (C)
CM: Lorenzo Faravelli
RW: Uriel Antuna
LW: Ángel Sepúlveda
ST: Giorgos Giakoumakis

Guadalajara Chivas (4-2-3-1):

Coach Gabriel Milito (2025 context) needs goals. Expect Alvarado to have a free role behind the striker.

GK: Raúl Rangel¹³
RB: Alan Mozo
CB: Antonio Briseño
CB: Jesús Orozco Chiquete
LB: José Castillo¹⁴
CDM: Érick Gutiérrez
CDM: Fernando Beltrán
RW: Cade Cowell
CAM: Roberto Alvarado
LW: Yael Padilla
ST: Ricardo Marín

Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas) — Impact Bench Options

Cruz Azul:

Gabriel Fernández: “El Toro” is a physical beast off the bench if Cruz Azul needs to chase a goal or hold up play.
Ignacio Rivero: The ultimate utility man to close out a game.

Guadalajara (Chivas):

Javier Hernández (Chicharito): If fit, the legend offers experience and poaching ability in the dying minutes.
Víctor Guzmán: Can provide a goal threat from midfield if Chivas are chasing the game.

Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas) — Tactical Outlook

Cruz Azul:

Playing Style: Possession & Patience. Cruz Azul are the higher seed; a draw likely suits them (table position rule). They will look to control the tempo with Charly Rodríguez and frustrate Chivas, forcing them to overcommit before hitting them on the counter with Antuna‘s speed.
Weakness: Goalkeeper Confidence. With Mier out, the defense might sit deeper naturally to protect Gudiño, which invites pressure.

Guadalajara (Chivas):

Playing Style: High Energy Press. Chivas cannot afford to sit back. They need a goal. Expect Mozo and Cowell to overload the right flank to test Cruz Azul’s wing-backs. Roberto Alvarado needs to find pockets of space between the lines.
Strength: Momentum. Chivas finished the season scoring goals (4 vs Monterrey, 4 vs Atlas). They have the firepower to hurt anyone if they click.

Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas) — Key Battles

Matchup	Battle Type	Edge
Jorge Sánchez vs. Cade Cowell	Speed vs. Power: Cowell is physically imposing. Sánchez is experienced but can be rash. If Cowell wins this duel, Chivas will create chances.	Chivas
Willer Ditta vs. Ricardo Marín	Aerial Duel: Ditta is aggressive. Marín relies on movement. Ditta must dominate the air to protect his keeper.	Cruz Azul
Carlos Rodríguez vs. Fernando Beltrán	Midfield Control: The battle of the playmakers. Whoever dictates the rhythm will decide which team controls the game.	Cruz Azul

Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas) — Spotlight Players

Andrés Gudiño (Cruz Azul):

The spotlight is blindingly bright on the backup goalkeeper. Replacing the injured Kevin Mier is an impossible task, but if he makes one or two key saves early, the crowd will rally behind him.

Roberto “Piojo” Alvarado (Chivas):

The former Cruz Azul man is Chivas’ best player. In a tight playoff game, his ability to dribble past players and shoot from distance is the X-factor Chivas desperately needs to break the deadlock.

Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas) — Fan Reactions

Cruz Azul Fans:

“Mier’s injury is a tragedy, but we trust Gudiño. We are at home, we are La Máquina!”

“A 0-0 is dangerous. We need to score and kill their hope early.”

Chivas Fans:

“We missed our chance in the first leg. Now we have to be perfect at CU.”

“Cowell needs to wake up. We need goals, not just running.”

Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas) — Match-Defining Factors

The Tiebreaker Rule: If the aggregate score is tied, the higher seed (Cruz Azul) usually advances. This forces Chivas to be the aggressor, which could leave them open to counters.
The “Mier” Psychological Blow: Did Mier’s injury demoralize the squad? Or will they fight harder for their fallen teammate?
Set Pieces: In tight Liguilla games, a corner or free-kick often decides it. Cruz Azul’s Piovi has a rocket of a left foot.

Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas) — Prediction

Score Prediction: Cruz Azul 1–1 Guadalajara (Chivas)

(Cruz Azul advances on league position)

Betting Insights:

Outcome: Draw.
Total Goals: Under 2.5 Goals (Tense, tactical playoff football).
To Qualify: Cruz Azul.

Analysis: Without their star goalkeeper, Cruz Azul will play cautiously. Chivas will push hard, likely scoring through Alvarado or Cowell, but Cruz Azul’s superior tactical structure and home advantage should allow them to find an equalizer and squeeze through to the semi-finals by virtue of their higher league finish.

Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas) — Final Word

It’s a battle of Mexico’s giants. Cruz Azul are wounded but hold the advantage. Chivas are dangerous and have nothing to lose. Expect a nerve-wracking 90 minutes where every pass, tackle, and save could determine the season.

Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (Chivas) — FAQs

When is the Cruz Azul vs Chivas match?

The match kicks off on Sunday, 30 November 2025, at 19:00 CST (Monday 06:30 IST).15

Is Kevin Mier playing?

No, Kevin Mier is out with a fractured tibia.16 Andrés Gudiño will start in goal.

What was the score in the first leg?

The first leg at Estadio Akron ended in a 0-0 draw.

Where can I watch the match in the USA?

You can watch live on Univision and TUDN.

Call to Action — SportsphereArena Community

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