Preview: Mazatlan vs. Pachuca - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts finished bottom of the division last season so will be excited for a fresh start, while Pachuca will be hoping to replicate their form in last season's competition which saw them place in the top five.

Match preview

Mazatlan come into this clash on Friday night looking to put behind a 2022-23 Clausura campaign which saw them end up in 18th place - right at the bottom of the pile in Liga MX.

The Canoneros only managed seven points in 17 league matches during that section of the division, meaning they finished with seven points fewer than any of their counterparts in the league.

Ismael Rescalvo's men will be looking to set the right tone for their 2023-24 season this weekend with a positive result at Estadio de Mazatlan.

An emphasis will be on the strikers of the hosts to fire the team to more maximums this term - Venezuelan midfielder Eduard Bello headed the club's scoring charts last season with just four strikes to his name.

Pachuca head to Mazatlan under a week after their Liga MX Championship Final defeat to Tigres at Dignity Health Sports Park in California of the United States.

Goals from Fernando Gorriaran and Nicolas Ibanez either side of the half-time interval put Roberto Siboldi's men into a commanding position in the showpiece match, with Israel Luna's 79th-minute strike proving just a consolation for Tuzo.

A Liga MX Apertura crown last season was Pachuca's first major piece of silverware since their historic CONCACAF Champions League victory in the 2016-17 term, but it now feels that the club once again have the ability to pick up titles regularly.

Pachuca academy graduate Roberto de la Rosa was unable to find a telling moment in the final on Sunday, but the now 23-year-old will be determined to fire his boyhood club to even greater feats this campaign.

Team News

Mazatlan could see one of their new signings make his debut on Friday night, with Sergio Flores ready to play after his move from Guadalajara was confirmed earlier in the week.

The hosts desperately need some defensive reinforcements for the new season and the club's hierarchy have delivered, with left-back Jair Diaz coming in from Tijuana ahead of this weekend's opening match.

Pachuca are likely to make a number of changes to the XI who had their hearts broken in the Championship Final against Tigres on Sunday, meaning the likes of Lucas Di Yorio and Jesus Hernandez could be dropped to the bench.

Illian Hernandez and Antonio Figueroa are the most likely candidates to replace their teammates in the starting side - the latter assisted Gorriaran's goal during a 23-minute cameo last time out.

Mazatlan possible starting lineup:

Gutierrez; Cedilo, Vidrio, Orona; Bello, Montano, Meraz, Sandoval; Barcenas, Benedetti; Sansores

Pachuca possible starting lineup:

Ustari; Castillo, Cabral, Barreto, Rodriquez; De la Fuente, Pedraza, Luna; Figueroa; Hernandez; De la Rosa

We say: Mazatlan 0-1 Pachuca

Mazatlan begin a Liga MX Apertura campaign looking to avenge a poor showing last term, but the visit of Pachuca to Estadio de Mazatlan is one of the division's hardest assignments.

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