Atlante Hosts Pumas UNAM in Key Liga MX Clash

The Liga MX match between Atlante and Club Universidad Nacional will kick off on October 16, 2026, at 11:00 PM ET. The game will be broadcast live in the United States on ViX, TUDN, and Fox.

Why it matters: This match is a must-win for both Atlante and Pumas as they look to escape the lower half of the Apertura table. A victory could provide a much-needed morale boost.

• Atlante sits 16th in the table, struggling to find form with just two wins this season.
• Pumas is slightly ahead in 12th but has also struggled, making this match a potential turning point for both teams.

Driving the news: Atlante's recent performances have been lackluster, with one win, two draws, and two losses in their last five Liga MX outings. They recently suffered a 2-0 defeat to Queretaro FC, followed by a 3-0 loss to Pachuca.

• In their last five matches, Atlante scored eight goals but conceded seven, indicating both offensive potential and defensive vulnerabilities.
• Pumas, meanwhile, has recorded one win, two draws, and two losses in their last five games, including a recent 3-3 draw with Cruz Azul.

State of play: Both teams are expected to field near full-strength lineups, as no fresh absences have been reported. Atlante's key players include Jhojan Esmaider Julio Palacios, who has contributed two goals and four assists in 964 minutes this season.

• Pumas' standout player is Olavio Vieira dos Santos Junior, who leads the team with six goals in 731 minutes.
• Both teams have shown they can score but also tend to concede, making this a potentially high-scoring affair.

The big picture: With both teams sitting in the bottom half of the Apertura standings, the stakes are high. Atlante's return to the top flight has been rocky, and they need points to avoid slipping into a relegation battle.

• Pumas has accumulated 13 points from 11 games, leaving them vulnerable as they aim to solidify their position.
• The match will be played at Estadio Azteca, providing a raucous backdrop that could give Atlante a home advantage.

What they're saying: Analysts predict a close contest, with many favoring Atlante to edge out Pumas 2-1 due to their home advantage and recent scoring capabilities.

• “Both teams can open up games easily, but Atlante’s home scoring edge may tip the scales,” said Richard Parry, a sports analyst.
• Palacios and Vieira dos Santos Junior are expected to be key players in determining the match outcome.

By the numbers: The head-to-head record between these teams shows Pumas with two wins, one loss, and two draws in their last five encounters, with a total of 13 goals scored across those matches.

• In their most recent meeting in August 2014, Pumas won 3-2 in a Copa MX fixture.
• Atlante's recent form includes a notable 4-2 victory over Monterrey, highlighting their offensive potential.

What's next: Following this match, both teams will need to regroup and reassess their strategies as they continue through the Apertura season. Points are at a premium, and every match counts.

• Atlante will look to build on any momentum gained from a potential victory, aiming for consistency.
• Pumas needs to address their away performance issues if they hope to climb the standings.