Mexico City is ready for another clash between two of its local teams. Pumas visits its biggest rival Club América at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes on Sunday for a new edition of El Clásico Capitalino.

It’s a rivalry that goes beyond the white lines. These two fan bases are among the largest and most passionate in the country. Both teams are located in the heart of Mexico City (hence the derby name) and it is a game that traditionally does not matter where the teams are in the standings. All bets are off when these two rivals meet.

Pumas have had a rollercoaster start to Apertura 2024, picking up 10 points in the first four games but losing three games in a row after the break before this summer’s Leagues Cup. Now Gustavo Lema’s side are slowly returning to form, with two consecutive 1-0 wins to move up to fifth place in Liga MX.

America has been just as, if not more, unpredictable this season. The back-to-back Liga MX champion has not found consistent form. Las Águilas has four wins, four losses and one draw in nine matches. There have been flashes of the dominance shown over the past year, but unlike the previous two seasons, it has not been able to maintain that level consistently.

For Pumas, this is a golden opportunity to strengthen its position in the direct play-offs and at the same time deal a major blow to its biggest rivals. América looks to win its third match of four and continues its rise in the rankings.

Current form (all competitions)

América recovered two key pieces last week in attacking midfielders Diego Valdés and Alejandro Zendejas. Valdés was arguably the best player in Liga MX last year, and Zendejas played a key role on the right wing in America’s last two title-winning seasons. New signing Víctor Dávila gets his first taste of a derby in American colors.

Now that so much talent is available again, manager André Jardine will have a difficult time selecting his starting eleven.

Erick Sanchéz gets regular playing time due to all the injuries in midfield; However, the Mexican national team player had to undergo emergency surgery earlier this week due to appendicitis. América also has multiple injuries in defense, with Israel Reyes, Sebastián Cáceres and Igor Lichnovski all out.

Malagon; Borja, Araujo, Juarez, Espinoza; Dos Santos, Fidalgo; Rodríguez, Valdés, Zendejas; Martin

Pumas were without top striker César Huerta in the match against Tijuana last weekend. Gustavo Lema said after the match that they had decided to keep Huerta out of the game so he could be ready and available for this weekend’s derby.

Pumas will have to make do without its other winger, Jorge Ruvalcaba, who suffered a hamstring injury in the match against Puebla last week.

Gustavo Lema also has an attacking midfielder behind him in Leonardo Suárez. Without much depth in midfield, look for Pumas to start the match with two attackers.

González; Bennevendo, Magallán, Nathan, Duarte; Caicedo, Quispe, Huerta, Pussetto; Funes Mori, Martinez

This is one of the most unpredictable derbies in the country. Wherever both teams stand in the standings, El Clásico Capitalino is always a passionate, intense match. Pumas is three points higher in the rankings; however, it lacks the talent that America has in almost every facet of the game.

The return of Valdés adds a new level of playmaking to the attack, one that Pumas does not have in their squad.

Prediction: America 3–1 Pumas

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