Guadalajara Chivas vs U.N.A.M. - Pumas preview: next match details

The next Guadalajara Chivas match in the Liga MX Apertura 2026 sees them host long-time rivals U.N.A.M. - Pumas at Estadio Akron in Zapopan. This Liga MX: Apertura round 8 clash is scheduled for 14 September 2026, with kick-off at 01:07 UTC. For fans wondering when Chivas play next, this home date against Pumas is a key early-season test near the top of the table.

This Guadalajara Chivas vs U.N.A.M. - Pumas preview comes with both sides in the top half mix, but with different pressures. Chivas arrive in strong form and sit high in the standings, while Pumas are looking to climb closer to the leading pack. With recent head-to-head meetings often tight and hard-fought, this latest chapter at Estadio Akron could have a real impact on the Apertura trajectory for both clubs.

Match details: date, kick-off & venue

• Competition: Liga MX, Apertura - 8
• Date / Kick-off: 2026-09-14T01:07:00Z
• Venue: Estadio Akron, Zapopan
• Status: Not Started (Fixture has not started yet)

Standings & form

Guadalajara Chivas come into this round as one of the early pacesetters in the Liga MX: Apertura table. They are currently 2nd with 14 points from 7 matches, boasting a goal difference of +6 (12 scored, 6 conceded). Their overall record stands at 4 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat, with a recent form line of WDWWD. At Estadio Akron, Chivas have been solid: 2 wins and 1 loss from 3 home games, scoring 6 and conceding 4. Away from home they remain unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws, again with 6 goals scored and only 2 conceded.

U.N.A.M. - Pumas arrive in Zapopan sitting 10th in the same group, with 11 points from their 7 Apertura fixtures and a goal difference of +2 (11 for, 9 against). Their overall record is 3 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses, and their form string reads WLDDW, indicating some inconsistency but enough positive results to stay in touch with the upper positions. At home, Pumas have taken 1 win, 2 draws and 1 defeat (4 scored, 5 conceded), while on their travels they have been more decisive: 2 wins and 1 loss from 3 away matches, with 7 goals scored and 4 conceded.

From the broader season statistics, Chivas have shown defensive resilience with 3 clean sheets already, and they have failed to score only once. They have also been clinical from the spot, converting 2 penalties from 2. Pumas, meanwhile, have registered 1 clean sheet and have failed to score in 3 of their 7 league outings, but they too are perfect from the penalty spot, scoring 1 out of 1. Discipline could be worth monitoring: both sides have already seen a red card this season, each coming in the 46–60 minute range.

Head-to-head

• 2026-04-06: Guadalajara Chivas 2–2 U.N.A.M. - Pumas (Liga MX)
• 2025-10-06: U.N.A.M. - Pumas 1–2 Guadalajara Chivas (Liga MX)
• 2025-03-02: U.N.A.M. - Pumas 0–1 Guadalajara Chivas (Liga MX)
• 2024-11-03: Guadalajara Chivas 0–0 U.N.A.M. - Pumas (Liga MX)
• 2024-02-25: Guadalajara Chivas 3–1 U.N.A.M. - Pumas (Liga MX)
• 2023-12-04: U.N.A.M. - Pumas 3–0 Guadalajara Chivas (Liga MX)
• 2023-12-01: Guadalajara Chivas 1–0 U.N.A.M. - Pumas (Liga MX)
• 2023-11-12: U.N.A.M. - Pumas 1–0 Guadalajara Chivas (Liga MX)
• 2023-02-19: U.N.A.M. - Pumas 1–2 Guadalajara Chivas (Liga MX)
• 2022-08-28: Guadalajara Chivas 3–1 U.N.A.M. - Pumas (Liga MX)

The head-to-head record in recent seasons has been competitive but leans towards Guadalajara Chivas, especially in Zapopan. Chivas have posted several home wins over Pumas, including 3–1 scorelines in both 2024 and 2022, while the most recent meeting at Estadio Akron in April 2026 finished in a 2–2 draw. Pumas have shown they can respond, with notable home victories such as the 3–0 win in December 2023 and a tight 1–0 success in November 2023. Overall, the pattern suggests Chivas tend to edge the fixture, but Pumas have delivered enough positive results to keep this rivalry finely balanced.

Key players to watch

• R. Alvarado (Guadalajara Chivas) — 3 goals so far in the 2026 Liga MX season, operating as a key attacking threat with consistent minutes and strong overall ratings.
• R. Marín (Guadalajara Chivas) — Contributing directly to the scoreboard with 2 goals and 2 assists, offering both finishing and link-up play in the final third.
• Juninho (U.N.A.M. - Pumas) — Joint-top scorer for Pumas with 3 goals, including 1 successful penalty, and a regular presence in the attacking line.
• R. Morales (U.N.A.M. - Pumas) — A creative hub in midfield, already on 2 goals and 3 assists, making him a central figure in Pumas’ chance creation.
• R. López (U.N.A.M. - Pumas) — From a deeper position he has added 2 assists, underlining his importance in building play from the back and wide areas.

Prediction

The data-driven model leans towards the hosts in this Guadalajara Chivas vs U.N.A.M. - Pumas prediction. The forecast gives Guadalajara Chivas a 45% chance of victory, with the draw also at 45% and Pumas at 10%. The recommended advice is a “Double chance: Guadalajara Chivas or draw”, reflecting Chivas’ stronger league position, their solid recent form, and a generally favourable head-to-head record at Estadio Akron. While Pumas have the attacking quality to trouble any side, the numbers suggest the safer expectation is that Chivas avoid defeat at home.