Match preview: Cruz Azul set to stamp authority at Estadio Azteca
Cruz Azul return to the vast cauldron of the Estadio Azteca on 13/02/2026 with momentum and a clear advantage over their visitors, Vancouver FC. The Mexican side have been in tearing form in recent weeks, arriving off a string of wins and a hard-fought draw with Toluca. Their firepower was on display when they dismantled Vancouver 3-0 in the recent Round 1 meeting, and the statistics paint a picture of a home team that will look to dominate possession, territory and chances. Playing at a stadium that can hold 87,523, Cruz Azul have the tools to control the match: their recent match data shows 20 total shots and six on target, with 16 attempts coming from inside the box — a sign they are probing and finding the danger areas consistently.
Vancouver FC, by contrast, will arrive with a compact, defensive mindset after a mixed patch of results. Their season form reads more conservative — several draws and limited offensive outputs — and their numbers underline their struggle to carve out chances. In the previous duel at the Azteca Vancouver managed just six shots with two on target and was undone by Cruz Azul’s clinical finishing. The away team’s average of 59 attacks and 25 dangerous attacks per match is dwarfed by Cruz Azul’s 122 attacks and 65 dangerous attacks, pointing toward a mismatch in creativity and chance creation.
Tactical and form considerations
Cruz Azul’s recent run — a sequence featuring four wins in their latest competitive fixtures — suggests confidence in both attack and structure. They have shown the capacity to score away and at home, and while they were held to a 1-1 draw by Toluca in their most recent outing, the thrust of their play remains forward-thinking. Vancouver’s form is patchy, with more draws than wins in the recent slate and a lack of clean sheets to lean on. The head-to-head dynamic is decisive: the 0-3 scoreline from the last meeting is fresh, and psychologically it gives Cruz Azul an edge heading into this rematch at home.
Cornertime and set-piece data also favor the hosts. Cruz Azul average six corners against Vancouver’s single-corner average, indicating more sustained pressure in the attacking third. Discipline and physicality are comparable, but the disparity in offensive volume is hard to ignore. Given the weight of evidence — shot counts, dangerous attacks, recent H2H and venue — the narrative is clear: Cruz Azul should dominate the tempo and chances.
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Betting suggestion (final): Given the overwhelming statistical advantage and the bookies’ pricing, the strongest single-market play is the 1X2 market — back Cruz Azul to win. The market reflects Cruz Azul as heavy favorites and the recent 3-0 meeting confirms both form and matchup superiority, so a home win is the recommended selection.
