The excitement is at its peak as the Liga MX returns to action, and Guadalajara is gearing up to face Pachuca in a crucial match for the Clausura 2026. The significance of starting the season on the right foot cannot be overstated, especially considering that this game kicks off a series of three matches in the next 8 days.
After wrapping up their Friday evening training session, coach Gabriel Milito has selected a squad of 21 players whom he believes will showcase the team's best football and secure the first 3 points of the semester. Among the noteworthy inclusions are new signings Brian Gutiérrez, Ángel Sepúlveda, and Ricardo Marín, who could potentially make their debut for Chivas in this match. Additionally, players like Ángel Chávez and others have also been listed as eligible for the encounter with Pachuca.
However, not all news is positive as Gilberto Sepúlveda is nursing an ankle sprain, impacting his availability for the upcoming games. Diego Campillo and Rubén González are nearing their return but are unlikely to feature in this particular match.
In the clash against Pachuca, the 21 selected Chivas players include the likes of Raúl Rangel, Richard Ledezma, Bryan González, Efraín Álvarez, Roberto Alvarado, and other key individuals.
Looking ahead to the kickoff on January 10, the opening game of the Apertura 2026 Tournament between Guadalajara and Pachuca at the Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Jalisco promises an exciting spectacle for fans. The match is set to commence at 18:00 cUS timec, 17:00 cMexicoc, and 00:00 cSpainc.
The Guadalajara team, under the guidance of Gabriel Milito, has enjoyed stability, culminating in a quarter-final appearance during the Apertura 2025 season. Their home ground, the Akron Stadium, has been a fortress for the team, providing them with a morale boost and immense support to kickstart the new campaign on a positive note. The recent acquisitions of Brian Gutiérrez and Ángel Sepúlveda have added firepower to Chivas, compensating for the absence of players like Alan Mozo, Javier Hernández, and Cade Cowell.
On the other hand, Pachuca enters the competition following a turbulent Apertura 2025 season, marked by an early exit and significant defensive woes. With a new coach in Esteban Solari and key signings like Alan Mozo, Salomón Rondón, and Christian Rivera, they are in the process of integrating these changes.
In terms of head-to-head encounters, Guadalajara has excelled in recent meetings, securing victories with scores of 1-0 cApertura 2025c, 2-1 cClausura 2025c, and 2-0 and 1-0 in 2024 against Pachuca. The upcoming match presents an opportunity for Chivas to extend their dominance over their opponents.
According to Grok's Artificial Intelligence analysis, Guadalajara is heavily favored to clinch a victory in the opening fixture under Gabriel Milito. Predictions point towards a Chivas win by a slim margin, with possible scorelines of 2-1 or 3-2, indicating a high-scoring affair with both teams getting on the scoresheet.
The AI has assigned a 50% probability for a Guadalajara win, 28% for a draw, and 22% for a Pachuca victory. This statistical analysis aligns with the general consensus that Chivas are the frontrunners for securing all three points in the inaugural match of the season.
As the excitement builds for the kickoff between Guadalajara and Pachuca, fans eagerly anticipate an electrifying contest at the Estadio Akron. With both teams ready to battle it out on the pitch, the stage is set for a thrilling start to the Clausura 2026 season in the Liga MX.