Puebla vs Santos Laguna - Liga MX

All eyes turn to the home ground on August 23, 2026 as Puebla welcome Santos Laguna in a Liga MX encounter that promises tension, intrigue and no shortage of subplot. Manchester United play in Gothenburg on Saturday as they take on Paris-Saint Germain in their fourth pre-season fixture.

Both Puebla and Santos Laguna will be eager to build momentum when they meet in Liga MX. Puebla have held their own of late, LW in their last five reflecting a steady win rate of 50%. On the road the visitors have looked devoid of inspiration, WLWWL in their last five and a win rate of 12.5% that makes for sobering reading. Where Puebla have leaned on defensive discipline, Santos Laguna have often taken the initiative going forward, and that stylistic difference should shape the contest. That was the 3-2 loss to Manchester United in January of this year, which ended a 121-match run without letting in three goals.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. Puebla may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Santos Laguna have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. Anderson can still play proactively from deep, but he will have other technical players around him to lighten the load in possession, and zones to hit rather than always playing to feet.

The fixture features no shortage of talent, and the league's top marksman S. Rondón — 8 goals this term — will be one to watch. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. The Premier League champions have been looking for a new defender with William Saliba out for an extended period of time and Jurrien Timber also sidelined with a long-term groin problem.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. Neither side holds a clear edge, and a 1-1 draw would be a fitting reflection of the balance between them. With positions in the Liga MX table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. In terms of outgoings, Perri seems closest to an exit, but that will likely have to wait until Trafford's mandated holiday after the World Cup is over or a No 2 arrives.