Puebla Hosts the Opening Game of 2024 Liga MX Apertura

After finishing in last place in the 2024 Clausura, Puebla now gets to host the first game of the 2024 Apertura.

Puebla and Santos Laguna will square off Friday, July 5 in a matchup of teams that missed the last playoffs per Sofa Score. Above is a clip from their last head to head, where Santos Laguna prevailed 3-0. Puebla was the eighteenth place team after compiling just a win and two ties. Santos Laguna was a touch better with their four wins and three draws. Neither team made the playoffs.

Puebla got their single win in a match against Mazatlán. They were lucky enough to play that one at their giant home stadium. The Estadio Cuauhtémoc is that home, seating a Liga MX fourth best 51,000 plus capacity. Will that stadium be finally used to their advantage again?

Puebla is expected to win the match. That is mostly because it is at home. Also, it adds to it that the teams enter tied with everyone having yet to play a game this season. All three result scenarios feel likely enough though betting books are not expecting a draw.

Can either team use this game to propel them this year? Sure, but both teams lack in talent. Top teams like Club América, Tigres UANL and Monterrey do not have to worry about having what it takes to compete to win every game. Games like this serve as an opportunity. Games like this could stand to help either club.

Puebla will be on the road for their second match of the season, moving on to Aguascalientes to face Necaxa. That should be a competitive game for a road match. The second game for Santos Laguna is their home opener versus Pumas UNAM. They may have some trouble winning that home opener.