America — UNAM : Match Preview and Prediction for September 28,2025

America’s Squad Crisis

Club America is currently facing a significant squad crisis, resembling a field hospital rather than a complete roster. Coach André Jardine is forced to assemble his team from available players, not from his preferred choices. This is the ‘Clasico Capitalino,’ but the hosts enter the match in a fractured state, which stands as a crucial factor.

Key Absences Impacting America

No fewer than five key first-team players are sidelined. The team will be without crucial attacking players Henry Martin and Rodrigo Aguirre, as well as vital midfielders and defenders Jonathan dos Santos, Igor Lichnovsky, and Dagoberto Espinoza. These aren’t merely individual absences; they represent a significant blow to America’s attacking prowess and overall tactical organization.

Recent Performance and Attacking Struggles

Consider their recent match against Atlético San Luis. Yes, they secured a 1-0 victory, but at what cost? They managed only 10 shots, with a mere 2 on target, and an expected goals (xG) metric of a meager 0.71. Without their key attacking leaders, the ‘Aguilas’ offense appears toothless, creating chances with immense difficulty even against a less formidable opponent.

UNAM’s Own Woes

The situation for ‘Pumas’ (UNAM) isn’t much better, albeit for different reasons. Yes, they lost 1-3 to Juarez, but don’t let the scoreline mislead you. The ‘Pumas’ offense was completely stagnant in that match.

Lackluster Attack from Pumas

Over 90 minutes, the team managed a mere 6 shots, with only one solitary effort on target. Their xG metric stood at a dismal 0.55, which is a significant failure for an attacking side. They created nothing substantial in front of the opposition’s goal, and Martinez’s goal was more of an anomaly than a sustained offensive effort.

UNAM’s Key Absences and Low-Scoring Tendency

They head into this game without the suspended José Caicedo, a pivotal central midfielder. Furthermore, the participation of key striker Guillermo Martínez is highly questionable. It’s also worth noting that UNAM is one of the league’s most ‘under’ oriented teams, ranking second in the number of matches ending with under 2.5 goals.