Club Necaxa hosts Club Puebla at Estadio Victoria in Aguascalientes for a Week 8 fixture of the Liga MX Apertura 2026 tournament, with kickoff scheduled for 19:00 local time in central Mexico. The match brings together two sides looking to solidify their positioning in the general table, according to tournament reporting from Crónica Digital.
Standings and Stakes for Necaxa and Puebla
Entering the Week 8 clash, Puebla sits in the ninth position in the Liga MX standings with 10 points accumulated, according to league records. Coached by Gerardo Espinoza, the Camoteros arrive in Aguascalientes following a defeat against Club América at Estadio Banorte, preceded by a draw against Chivas and victories over Pachuca at Hidalgo and Santos at home. Puebla holds a game in hand due to the earlier Leagues Cup pause.
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On the other side of the pitch, Necaxa occupies 13th place in the general table with eight points. Manager Martín Varini faces mounting pressure after the Rayos managed only two points since securing a victory against Monterrey back in July. The club needs a positive result at home to dispel doubts and keep their aspirations for the Liguilla alive.
Where to Watch and Broadcast Details
Fans looking to follow the Necaxa versus Puebla encounter live can tune in via Fox Sports, Fox ONE, and Prime Video, according to broadcast listings.
Head-to-Head History and Recent Form
Recent history favors the Aguascalientes side in this fixture. Over their last five direct meetings across Liga MX campaigns, Necaxa claims three victories and seven goals scored against Puebla. The Camoteros managed one victory during that span, alongside a scoreless draw at Estadio Cuauhtémoc during the Clausura 2026 tournament.
Expected Lineups and Squad Updates
Necaxa approaches the fixture with a healthy roster and no major reported absences, allowing manager Martín Varini to field a complete squad. According to projected line-up reports, the Rayos are expected to start Luis Jiménez in goal, supported by a central defense trio of Agustín Oliveros, Alexis Peña, and Kaiky Naves. The midfield features Mauro Zaleta, Lorenzo Faravelli, Pedro Pedraza, and Kevin Rosero, with Javier Ruiz, Julián Carranza, and Owen González leading the attack.
Puebla travels without forward Emiliano Gómez, who departed the club for Tigres UANL. To offset the absence, Gerardo Espinoza’s projected starting XI features Daniel Gutiérrez in goal; Iker Moreno, Facundo Almada, Juan Pablo Vargas, and Fernando Monarrez across the defense; Alejandro Organista and Alonso Ramírez as central pivotes; Brayan Garnica and Carlos Baltazar on the flanks; Kevin Velasco operating as an attacking midfielder; and Eduardo Mustre Torres spearheading the attack as center forward.
What Lies Ahead
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