The new Clausura 2026 tournament in Liga MX kicks off with an intriguing clash between Atlas FC and Puebla. The match will take place at the Estadio Jalisco on Friday, January 9, marking the beginning of a new campaign for both sides that are eager to improve after disappointing performances in the previous season. Historically, this fixture has been evenly balanced, with 44 meetings producing 18 wins for Puebla, 17 for Atlas, and 9 draws. The last encounter ended in a thrilling 2-3 result, confirming the tendency for goals whenever these two meet.

Atlas FC: Seeking Redemption at Home

Atlas enter this new tournament with the goal of leaving behind a forgettable previous campaign. They finished 14th in the table and were the second team with the most goals conceded. The team’s defensive fragility was evident, allowing an average of 2.1 goals per match last season. In their last five games, Atlas managed just one win, one draw, and three defeats, scoring only 0.6 goals per game while conceding 1.6. Their most recent outing was a 2-0 loss against Tijuana on November 8, 2025.

Despite these struggles, the club has made key adjustments. The arrivals of defenders Rodrigo Schlegel and Manuel Capass aim to strengthen the back line, while the team retained important figures such as Camilo Vargas, Aldo Rocha, Diego González, and striker Uros Durdevic, who finished as the team’s top scorer with seven goals. The Serbian forward will once again be the main attacking reference, hoping to improve his tally and lead Atlas back into contention for the Liguilla.

At home, Atlas have shown some resilience, keeping clean sheets in their last two matches at the Estadio Jalisco. However, their overall defensive record remains a concern. The statistics show that Over 1.5 goals have been scored in 27 of their last 29 Liga MX matches, and they have conceded at least one goal in 27 of those games. These numbers suggest that while Atlas can find the net, their defense still leaves room for improvement.

Puebla: Aiming for a Fresh Start

Puebla endured a difficult previous season, finishing bottom of the table with just 12 points from 17 matches (3 wins, 3 draws, 11 defeats). Their defensive issues were even more pronounced than Atlas’s, conceding an average of 2.5 goals per game. However, they ended the campaign on a positive note, defeating León 1-2 away from home on November 9, 2025. That victory could serve as a morale boost heading into the new season.

In their last five matches, Puebla recorded two wins, one draw, and two defeats, averaging 2.2 goals scored and 2.6 conceded per game. The team’s attacking potential is evident, but their defensive lapses continue to cost them points. Notably, Puebla have lost at half time in 9 of their last 14 Liga MX matches and in 8 of their last 13 away games, a trend they will need to reverse if they hope to climb the standings.

The offseason brought significant changes to the squad. The departures of Ricardo Marín and goalkeeper Julio González were notable, but new faces such as Esteban Lozano, Brayan Garnica, Alex Organista, and José Pachuca have joined to strengthen the team. With these reinforcements, Puebla aim to rebuild and become more competitive, even if their resources remain limited compared to other Liga MX sides.

Atlas vs Puebla: Tactical Overview and Key Stats

This fixture has traditionally delivered excitement and goals. The last five head-to-head meetings show a slight advantage for Atlas with three wins, one draw, and one defeat, averaging 2.4 goals scored and 2.0 conceded per match. Both teams tend to play open football, often leaving spaces at the back, which increases the likelihood of a high-scoring encounter.

Atlas will rely on their home advantage and improved defensive structure, while Puebla will look to exploit transitions and the finishing ability of Lozano. Given that both sides have struggled defensively but possess attacking talent, the conditions are set for a match with goals on both ends. The data supports this: Both Teams To Score (Yes) has a 53% probability, while Over 2.5 goals stands evenly balanced at 50%.

In terms of overall form, Atlas rank 4th and Puebla 11th in the current Liga MX standings. The win probabilities indicate a tight contest: Atlas 44%, Draw 25%, and Puebla 31%. These figures highlight how evenly matched the teams are, making this opening fixture one of the most unpredictable of the round.

BetMines Prediction: Atlas vs Puebla

Considering the attacking tendencies and defensive vulnerabilities of both sides, the BetMines prediction points towards Both Teams To Score (Yes) with a 53% probability. The historical data, recent performances, and goal averages all reinforce the expectation of an entertaining match with goals from both teams.