{"id":21682,"date":"2026-07-11T07:42:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T11:42:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/?post_type=news&#038;p=21682"},"modified":"2026-07-11T07:43:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T11:43:39","slug":"match-preview-monterrey-vs-santos-laguna-07-18-26-liga-mx","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/liga-mx\/match-preview-monterrey-vs-santos-laguna-07-18-26-liga-mx\/","title":{"rendered":"Monterrey vs Santos Laguna: Predictions, Picks, Odds &#038; Stats"},"content":{"rendered":"<!-- WP_TITLE: Monterrey vs Santos Laguna: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Stats -->\n<p><strong>Monterrey open Liga MX&#8217;s Apertura 2026 against Santos Laguna on Saturday, July 18 at 9:00 PM ET \/ 8:00 PM CT \/ 6:00 PM PT, with the Estadio BBVA hosting the first game of a brand-new campaign.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>Our Monterrey vs Santos Laguna prediction leans heavily on home advantage. This is a season opener, so there is no live table to read yet; the numbers below are drawn from last season&#8217;s final standings, when Monterrey finished 13th and Santos ended the Clausura in 18th. Both clubs come into the new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/liga-mx\/\">Apertura<\/a> looking to bury a disappointing spring rather than build on it.<\/p>\n\n<p>bet365 make Monterrey clear favorites at -217 to win, with Santos Laguna out at +450 and the draw priced at +320. That is a wide gap for two sides that met on the final day in April, when Santos won 3-0, but the venue swings it: this one is at the Estadio BBVA, not the Estadio Corona.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>\n.sq-bpg{--lime:#a8e039;--glow:#c8f24c;--tx:#f4f8f1;--mut:rgba(244,248,241,.62);--line:rgba(255,255,255,.10);--gold:#F7B500;--b365:#ffdd00;position:relative;overflow:hidden;isolation:isolate;font-family:'Bricolage Grotesque',system-ui,-apple-system,Segoe UI,Roboto,sans-serif;color:var(--tx);max-width:960px;margin:12px auto 30px;border-radius:18px;background:radial-gradient(70% 90% at 18% 0%,rgba(168,224,57,.20) 0%,rgba(168,224,57,0) 60%),linear-gradient(135deg,#0e3f29 0%,#0a2c1f 60%,#08251a 100%);box-shadow:0 18px 44px rgba(10,44,31,.32)}\n.sq-bpg 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.sq-bpg__row{grid-template-columns:1fr 82px}\n .sq-bpg__prob{font-size:19px}\n .sq-bpg__altsbtn{flex:1 1 100%}\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"sq-bpg\" id=\"sq-bpg-monterrey-vs-santos-laguna\">\n <div class=\"sq-bpg__wrap\">\n  <input class=\"sq-bpg__r sq-bpg__r--us\" type=\"radio\" name=\"sqbpg-geo-mtysla2607\" id=\"sqbpg-us-mtysla2607\" checked>\n  <input class=\"sq-bpg__r sq-bpg__r--row\" type=\"radio\" name=\"sqbpg-geo-mtysla2607\" id=\"sqbpg-row-mtysla2607\">\n\n  <h2 class=\"sq-bpg__ttl\">Monterrey vs Santos Laguna: Best Bets &amp; Predictions<\/h2>\n  <p class=\"sq-bpg__sub\">A season opener with a heavy favorite: the market backs Monterrey at home and expects goals, so our card leans into the win, the over and both teams scoring.<\/p>\n\n  <div class=\"sq-bpg__geoq\">Where are you following from? Odds &amp; offers below update to match.<\/div>\n  <div class=\"sq-bpg__toggle\" role=\"tablist\">\n    <label class=\"sq-bpg__tab sq-bpg__tab--us\" for=\"sqbpg-us-mtysla2607\">&#127482;&#127480; United States<span>Trade on Kalshi<\/span><\/label>\n    <label class=\"sq-bpg__tab sq-bpg__tab--row\" for=\"sqbpg-row-mtysla2607\">&#127758; Outside the US<span>Odds via bet365<\/span><\/label>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"sq-bpg__list\">\n    <div class=\"sq-bpg__row\" data-market=\"Result\" data-selection=\"Monterrey\" data-prob=\"62\" data-odds=\"-217\">\n      <div><span class=\"sq-bpg__pk\">Monterrey to win<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__top\">Top pick<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__why\">Home advantage does the heavy lifting: the market prices Monterrey around a 62% winner at the Estadio BBVA against a Santos side that finished last season bottom.<\/span><\/div>\n      <div class=\"sq-bpg__pr\"><span class=\"sq-bpg__prob\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/kalshi?q=us-all-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">62%<\/a><\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__prl\">win prob.<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__odd\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/bet365?q=us-sg1-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">-217 @ bet365<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"sq-bpg__row\" data-market=\"Over 2.5 Goals\" data-selection=\"Over 2.5\" data-prob=\"65\" data-odds=\"-225\">\n      <div><span class=\"sq-bpg__pk\">Over 2.5 goals<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__why\">The market puts the over above a 65% chance. Santos shipped 38 goals across 17 games last season, the leakiest defense in the division, and Monterrey should test it early.<\/span><\/div>\n      <div class=\"sq-bpg__pr\"><span class=\"sq-bpg__prob\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/kalshi?q=us-all-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">65%<\/a><\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__prl\">chance<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__odd\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/bet365?q=us-sg1-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">-225 @ bet365<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"sq-bpg__row\" data-market=\"Both Teams to Score\" data-selection=\"Yes\" data-prob=\"65\" data-odds=\"-188\">\n      <div><span class=\"sq-bpg__pk\">Both teams to score: Yes<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__why\">Santos still have Lucas Di Yorio to lead the line and put three past Monterrey when these teams last met, so a clean sheet for either side is far from certain even with a favorite on the field.<\/span><\/div>\n      <div class=\"sq-bpg__pr\"><span class=\"sq-bpg__prob\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/kalshi?q=us-all-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">65%<\/a><\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__prl\">chance<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__odd\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/bet365?q=us-sg1-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">-188 @ bet365<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"sq-bpg__row\" data-market=\"Anytime Goalscorer\" data-selection=\"Lucas Di Yorio\" data-prob=\"\" data-odds=\"\" data-player-id=\"78wqwjoxq8fo54r2ug99shwx5\">\n      <div><span class=\"sq-bpg__pk\"><strong data-player-id=\"78wqwjoxq8fo54r2ug99shwx5\">Lucas Di Yorio<\/strong> to score anytime<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__why\">Di Yorio was Santos&#8217; one reliable spark last season, with six goals and 22 shots on target. Goalscorer lines open closer to kick-off; check bet365 for the price.<\/span><\/div>\n      <div class=\"sq-bpg__pr\"><span class=\"sq-bpg__prob\">&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__prl\">chance<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__odd\">Lines opening soon<\/span><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"sq-bpg__row\" data-market=\"Correct Score\" data-selection=\"Monterrey 2-1 Santos Laguna\" data-prob=\"12\" data-odds=\"+750\">\n      <div><span class=\"sq-bpg__pk\">Correct score: Monterrey 2-1 Santos Laguna<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__why\">The shortest correct score on the board fits the read: Monterrey edge it, but Santos get one back. It rewards backing the win, the over and both teams scoring in one line.<\/span><\/div>\n      <div class=\"sq-bpg__pr\"><span class=\"sq-bpg__prob\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/kalshi?q=us-all-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">12%<\/a><\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__prl\">chance<\/span><span class=\"sq-bpg__odd\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/bet365?q=us-sg1-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">+750 @ bet365<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <p class=\"sq-bpg__approach\"><b>Our approach:<\/b> Start with Monterrey to win, add the over for a stronger single, then treat both teams to score and the 2-1 as the small-stakes leg with more upside.<\/p>\n\n  <div class=\"sq-bpg__panel sq-bpg__panel--us\">\n    <div class=\"sq-bpg__act\">\n      <div class=\"sq-bpg__act-txt\"><b>Trade these markets on Kalshi<\/b><span>New users get $10 &#8212; trade $10 to unlock. Prices update live.<\/span><\/div>\n      <a class=\"sq-bpg__cta sq-bpg__cta--kal\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/kalshi?q=us-all-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trade on Kalshi &rarr;<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"sq-bpg__altsdiv\"><\/div>\n    <p class=\"sq-bpg__altslead\">If Kalshi isn&rsquo;t your choice, we also rate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/bet\/betting-sites\/polymarket\/\">Polymarket<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/bet\/betting-sites\/prophetx\/\">ProphetX<\/a> &mdash; or compare the full lineup.<\/p>\n    <div class=\"sq-bpg__altsrow\">\n      <a class=\"sq-bpg__altsbtn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/polymarket?q=us-sg1-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/06101144\/polymarket-1.svg\" alt=\"Polymarket\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n      <a class=\"sq-bpg__altsbtn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/prophet-x?q=us-sg1-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/sites\/13\/2026\/06\/12062936\/ProphetX.svg\" alt=\"ProphetX\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n      <a class=\"sq-bpg__altsbtn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/bet\/best-prediction-markets\/\">Compare All &rarr;<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <p class=\"sq-bpg__disc\">Probabilities reflect live Kalshi market prices at time of loading. 21+. Prediction markets are CFTC-regulated event contracts, not sportsbook bets. Polymarket excluded in AZ, IL, MA, MD, MI, MT, NJ, NV, OH. Please play responsibly. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. New Kalshi users: USE CODE SQUAWKA.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"sq-bpg__panel sq-bpg__panel--row\">\n    <div class=\"sq-bpg__act\">\n      <div class=\"sq-bpg__act-txt\"><b>Back these with bet365<\/b><span>Odds shown for your region &#8212; toggle the odds beside each pick above.<\/span><\/div>\n      <a class=\"sq-bpg__cta sq-bpg__cta--b365\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/bet365?q=us-sg1-all-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bet with bet365 &rarr;<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <p class=\"sq-bpg__disc\">Odds correct at time of writing and shown in American format for illustration; your local odds and offer are served on click. Eligibility, minimum age (18+\/21+) and T&amp;Cs vary by region. Please gamble responsibly.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Season Form &amp; Standings<\/h2>\n\n<p>With Apertura 2026 yet to kick off, the only table worth reading is the one both teams just left. The Tabla General below shows where each side finished the Clausura 2026 regular phase last season, not a live standing. It is not flattering reading for either: Monterrey took 18 points from 17 games and Santos managed 12, the lowest tally in the division. You can track the new campaign on the live <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/liga-mx-standings\/\">Liga MX standings<\/a> once results land.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Team<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Pos<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">GP<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">W<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">D<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">L<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">GF<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">GA<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">GD<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Pts<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody>\n<tr><td><strong>Monterrey<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">13<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">17<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">5<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">3<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">9<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">22<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">24<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">-2<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">18<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Santos Laguna<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">18<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">17<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">3<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">3<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">11<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">20<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">38<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">-18<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">12<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<p>The gap in the goals-against column tells the story: Monterrey conceded 24, Santos 38. A fresh season resets the points, but it does not reset the squads, and Santos still carry the weaker back line into the opener.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Potential Match-Winners<\/h2>\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Sergio Canales (Monterrey):<\/strong> The Spaniard remains the side&#8217;s creative pulse, contributing three goals and two assists last season while landing 15 shots on target from midfield. He sets the tempo when Monterrey control a game.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lucas Di Yorio (Santos Laguna):<\/strong> Santos&#8217; clear focal point, with six goals and a team-high 22 shots on target across the Clausura, an output of roughly 0.45 goals per 90. If Santos threaten, it usually runs through him.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ezequiel Bullaude (Santos Laguna):<\/strong> The most productive creator in the visiting squad, with five goals and four assists last season, giving Santos a second scoring outlet behind Di Yorio.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jes\u00fas Corona (Monterrey):<\/strong> Still a live threat off the flank at 33, the winger chipped in three goals and an assist and stretches defenses that sit deep. See how the scoring race shapes up on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/liga-mx-top-scorers-goal-leaders\/\">Liga MX top scorers<\/a> page.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2>Recent Form<\/h2>\n\n<h3>Monterrey: L D L W L<\/h3>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Apr 26, 2026: Santos Laguna 3-0 Monterrey (L, away)<\/li>\n<li>Apr 21, 2026: Monterrey 2-1 Puebla (W, home)<\/li>\n<li>Apr 18, 2026: Monterrey 1-3 Pachuca (L, home)<\/li>\n<li>Apr 11, 2026: Atlas 0-0 Monterrey (D, away)<\/li>\n<li>Apr 4, 2026: Monterrey 1-2 Atl\u00e9tico San Luis (L, home)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>Monterrey limped out of last season and have conceded in each of their last three, the last shut-out coming in a goalless draw at Atlas on April 11. The 3-0 loss at Santos on the final day is the freshest memory between these two, and a pointed one.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Santos Laguna: D L L L W<\/h3>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Apr 26, 2026: Santos Laguna 3-0 Monterrey (W, home)<\/li>\n<li>Apr 22, 2026: Atl\u00e9tico San Luis 2-0 Santos Laguna (L, away)<\/li>\n<li>Apr 19, 2026: Santos Laguna 0-1 Atlas (L, home)<\/li>\n<li>Apr 11, 2026: Pachuca 4-2 Santos Laguna (L, away)<\/li>\n<li>Apr 4, 2026: Santos Laguna 1-1 Club Am\u00e9rica (D, home)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>Santos ended a grim campaign on a high, thumping Monterrey 3-0 at home on the final day. That result aside, the spring was hard going, and doing it again away from the Estadio Corona is a different task.<\/p>\n\n<!-- SQ-SIGNAL-START --><!-- SQ-SIGNAL-END -->\n\n<h2>Monterrey vs Santos Laguna Prediction<\/h2>\n\n<p>Home advantage and the run of play point one way. Santos&#8217; win in April was real, but it came at their place against a Monterrey side already checked out; the return of competitive stakes and a home crowd should tilt this back. We land on a Monterrey win in a game with goals, and back <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/bet365?q=us-sg1-con-wof-s-spo\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Monterrey to win at -217 with bet365<\/strong><\/a>, kicking off Saturday, July 18 at 9:00 PM ET at the Estadio BBVA. For the rest of the opening slate, see the full <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/liga-mx-fixtures-results\/\">Liga MX schedule<\/a>, and weigh it against our wider <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/soccer-predictions\/\">soccer predictions<\/a>. New to the book? Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/bet\/betting-sites\/bet365\/\">bet365 review<\/a> covers the sign-up.<\/p>\n\n<p><small>Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.<\/small><\/p>\n\n<p><em>Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Monterrey open Liga MX&#8217;s Apertura 2026 against Santos Laguna on Saturday, July 18 at 9:00 PM ET \/ 8:00 PM CT \/ 6:00 PM PT, with the Estadio BBVA hosting the first game of a brand-new campaign. Our Monterrey vs Santos Laguna prediction leans heavily on home advantage. This is a season opener, so there&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":393,"featured_media":21681,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"monterrey vs santos laguna prediction","_yoast_wpseo_title":"Monterrey vs Santos Laguna: Predictions, odds, picks & stats","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Our Monterrey vs Santos Laguna prediction, picks and odds for the Liga MX Apertura 2026 opener at Estadio BBVA: best bets, market probabilities and stats.","footnotes":""},"tags":[327],"news-category":[336],"class_list":["post-21682","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-liga-mx","news-category-liga-mx"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":true},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Monterrey vs Santos Laguna: Predictions, odds, picks &amp; stats<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Our Monterrey vs Santos Laguna prediction, picks and odds for the Liga MX Apertura 2026 opener at Estadio BBVA: best bets, market probabilities and stats.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/liga-mx\/match-preview-monterrey-vs-santos-laguna-07-18-26-liga-mx\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Monterrey vs Santos Laguna: Predictions, Picks, Odds &amp; 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