Cruz Azul - Seattle Sounders 08/01/25

Leagues Cup: Cruz Azul - Seattle Sounders

Are you the type of person who gets up early – or simply never goes to bed? Then we have good news: the Leagues Cup offers morning coffee with a bang when Cruz Azul and Seattle Sounders meet in Mexico City at 04:30 Norwegian time. Not exactly the best broadcast time for most people, but this is the match for those of you who want more punch in your breakfast than the news channels can offer.

Two solid teams – one iconic stadium – and everything is set for a fresh and corner-happy duel before the sun rises in Norway.

Cruz Azul: Home field advantage counts

The Mexican giants are in good form. In their last match before this meeting, they crushed the Vancouver Whitecaps 5–0 at the Estadio Azteca. It wasn't just three points – it was a statement. Cruz Azul has lost only one of their last ten matches and seems to be back on track after a somewhat messy spring.

The Blues from Mexico City like to play with pressure and pace, especially at home. In five of their last six home games they have had at least five corners, and they tend to create plenty of set-piece opportunities by pressing wide and challenging one-on-ones on the wings.

Seattle Sounders: Solid form – but now the heights await

The MLS team from the Pacific Coast is unbeaten in its last six and is coming off several solid performances at home in the U.S. But they have also been out of the international circus for a while, having been knocked out of the Club World Cup earlier this year.

The big question is how they will handle the 2,200-meter altitude and a home-sheltered Azteca. They have lost here before – 1-4 in the Concacaf meeting last time they were in town. The Sounders have certainly stepped up defensively, and while they are difficult to break down, they often concede a lot of corners. In fact, four of their last five away games have ended with ten or more corners in total.

What can we expect?

I expect a game where Cruz Azul takes command and presses from the start. It's their stadium, their crowd and their tournament – ​​at least it feels that way when you see how they've delivered here in the past. Seattle probably won't be harmless, but they'll spend a large part of the game defending. It smells like corners. Lots of them.

I also expect the match to be characterized by physical play, intensity and many stops in the game. Cruz Azul's offensive full-backs and wingers will challenge often, and that gives us good reason to believe that the set pieces will be raining in from the flag.

Bet suggestions

Leagues Cup At 05:30: Cruz Azul - Seattle Sounders: Over 4.5 corners for Cruz Azul (1.70)

Alternative game:

Leagues Cup 05:30: Cruz Azul – Seattle Sounders: 9.5 corners total (1.80)

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