7M - Liga MX Preview: Pachuca vs Queretaro - prediction, team news, lineups

Pachuca play host to Queretaro at Estadio Hidalgo on Sunday, seeking to build on their opening-weekend victory in Gameweek 2 of the 2026-27 Liga MX Apertura campaign.

Opening Form & Historical Context

Benjamin Mora enjoyed a ideal start to his managerial tenure at Pachuca, leading Tuzos to an impressive 3-0 victory away at last season's Clausura finalists Pumas on matchday one. A win on Sunday would mark a second consecutive Apertura campaign in which Pachuca have won their opening home fixture, having shut out Monterrey 3-0 in their 2025 Apertura home opener.

Queretaro, meanwhile, suffered a late 1-0 home defeat against Club America on matchday one, marking the third consecutive Apertura season that Gallos Blancos have started with a loss. Esteban Gonzalez's team will now aim to prevent losing their opening Apertura away fixture for a third straight year, having dropped a 1-0 decision to Club Tijuana on the road to kick off their 2025 Apertura campaign.

Form & Attack/Defense Highlights

Pachuca (Form: W)

Defensive Resilience: Throughout 2026, Pachuca have not dropped a single point when scoring first in competitive matches, holding a perfect record that includes four consecutive clean sheets in those fixtures.

Home Records: Pachuca look to halt a two-match losing streak in Apertura home games, though they won their final two home outings at Estadio Hidalgo during the 2026 Clausura playoffs.

Key Attackers: Venezuelan striker Salomon Rondon led the frontline on matchday one with a brace, while young midfielder Elias Montiel added the third goal in the 3-0 win over Pumas.

Queretaro (Form: L)

Head-to-Head Advantage: Gallos Blancos carry an active five-match unbeaten streak against Pachuca in Liga MX competition, including a 2-0 victory on their most recent visit to Estadio Hidalgo last September.

Away Performance: Queretaro are seeking to extend an overall five-match away unbeaten run in Liga MX, having won their final away match of the 2026 Clausura season 2-1 against Puebla and their final 2025 Apertura road game 2-1 against Juarez.

Squad Integration: Manager Esteban Gonzalez introduced multiple summer signings in their season opener, including Paraguayan Enzo Gimenez, Brazilian Paulo Victor, and former Pachuca player Santiago Homenchenko, who scored the winning goal against his old club last year.

Team News & Lineups

Pachuca

Out: Andres Micolta remains sidelined due to a right knee injury, while Israel Luna is long-term absent with a cruciate ligament injury.

Possible Pachuca Starting XI:

Moreno; Mozo, Bauermann, Barreto, Isais; Montiel, Rivera; Dominguez, Pizarro, Idrissi; Rondon

Queretaro

Availability: Queretaro feature several new additions following matchday one debuts for Enzo Gimenez and Paulo Victor, alongside Juan Cazares starting in midfield.

Possible Queretaro Starting XI:

Allison; Duarte, Reyes, Abascia, Victor; Gimenez, Homenchenko, Adriano, Cazares; Avila, Coronel

Prediction: Pachuca 2-0 Queretaro

Pachuca appear well-organized and confident following their decisive opening victory over Pumas, whereas Queretaro continue to integrate a largely overhauled squad. Expect Tuzos to capitalize on their early-season rhythm and overcome their recent head-to-head struggles against Gallos Blancos.