On Saturday, March 1, 2025, the Pumas de la UNAM will host the Chivas Rayadas del Guadalajara at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario at 21:10 hours as part of Jornada 10 of the Liga MX Clausura 2025. Both teams enter the match with urgent needs to secure points after suffering disappointing results in their recent games.
Chivas arrives at this fixture following a tough loss to Atlético San Luis, where they faced a downbeat 3-1 defeat. Despite this setback, there was one glimmer of hope for Chivas fans: the return and debut of forward Javier Hernández, who made headlines with his scoring prowess. Meanwhile, Pumas grapple with even more turmoil, having just been thrashed 4-2 by Tijuana. This unsatisfactory outcome prompted the club to part ways with their former coach, Gustavo Lema, due to the mounting pressure from fans and management alike.
Raúl Alpízar has stepped up as the interim coach for Pumas, tasked with shouldering the immense pressure during this pivotal moment for the team. The recent history between Chivas and Pumas isn't devoid of excitement either. Their last encounter took place during Jornada 15 of the Apertura 2024; the game ended without goals, but both teams will look for more firepower this Saturday.
Looking at how Chivas has performed this season, inconsistencies have plagued them; they’ve claimed victories against teams like Pachuca but stumbled against opponents like Toluca and San Luis. Conversely, Pumas is on even shakier ground, sitting at 12th place with three consecutive losses which have sparked fierce criticism from the fans.
The stakes are remarkably high for Chivas, as they have yet to claim their first win outside their home ground this season. Therefore, securing points is imperative not just for their position but also for morale, especially with three upcoming fixtures against their historical rivals, América. Will they rise to the challenge?
Óscar García's absence might loom over Chivas; he is reportedly dealing with gastrointestinal issues and may not be present for this match. Should he be unavailable, assistant coach Francisco Ruano may need to take charge, posing another complication for the team. A potential lineup for Chivas could feature goalkeeper Raúl Rangel; defenders like Gilberto Sepúlveda and Miguel Tapias; midfielders Fernando Beltrán and Luis Romo; with Roberto Alvarado and Alan Pulido leading the attack.
Compounding problems for Chivas, midfielder Erick Gutiérrez will miss out on this match due to yellow card accumulation, and Mateo Chávez remains doubtful after sustaining an injury during his previous match against Pachuca. Interestingly, both teams currently sit outside of the Liga MX playoff zone, with Chivas positioned 10th and Pumas just below them at 12th, both separated by mere goal difference.
For fans eager to support their teams, the match will be broadcast live on Canal 5 and TUDN, with streaming available on ViX. The match is poised to deliver high-stakes action, fueled by the need for both teams to return to winning form.
Indeed, the Pumas vs. Chivas showdown promises intense emotions as fans anticipate the performance of both teams. With Pumas seeking direction under interim leadership and Chivas aiming for their first away win, this match marks not only another chapter in their rivalry but also serves as pivotal for the hopes of both sides this season.
This historic encounter has often delivered thrilling football — can either team finally break the silence of recent underperformance and seize the moment? This Saturday, the world will be watching as Pumas and Chivas battle for supremacy on the pitch, hoping to spark joy and reclaim past glories.