UNAM Pumas vs San Diego FC Prediction

UNAM Pumas vs San Diego FC prediction: second-leg story

The UNAM Pumas vs San Diego FC prediction for February 11, 2026 (kickoff 01:00 GMT) begins with a simple image: the Estadio Olímpico Universitario at altitude, the stands pushing air into tired legs, and Pumas trying to turn one wild first leg into a different kind of night in Mexico City.

Second-leg context: a deficit, a stadium, and a plan

San Diego FC arrive with a 4.35 aggregate advantage after their unforgettable first leg at Snapdragon Stadium. Pumas actually struck first there—Robert Morales landed an 11th-minute bicycle kick that briefly made the tie feel familiar. Then the match flipped: SDFC scored four times in a ruthless second-half burst, with Manu Duah, David Vazquez, Alex Mighten, and Luca Bombino turning a scare into a cushion.

The math is now strict. Pumas need a three-goal win without reply to go through, while a 4.35 win would stretch the night into extra time. And if San Diego score in Mexico City, the bar rises again—Pumas would be chasing a four-goal margin.

Tactics and talking points shaping the game

Efraín Juárez is expected to lean into home advantage and urgency. Reports suggest a more direct setup with Morales supported by Guillermo Martínez, trying to pin San Diego’s young center-backs and force early chaos. Pumas have looked sharper at home and, despite the continental stumble, they have shown bite in domestic play—highlighted by a 4.35 win over Santos Laguna and a place in the upper half of the Clausura table.

San Diego, meanwhile, can afford patience. Mikey Varas is tipped to protect the lead with a compact, counter-focused 4.3-3—less romance, more risk management. The biggest opponent may not even be Pumas; it is the 7,4.35ft altitude that tends to punish MLS teams late on.

Key names to watch (and why they matter)

• Keylor Navas carries the calm Pumas will need if the tie turns frantic.
• Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla is the rhythm-setter; he also supplied the assist for Morales in the first leg.
• Anders Dreyer remains San Diego’s main creator after a huge 2025 (19 goals, 19 assists) and he already shaped the first-leg momentum.
• Hirving “Chucky” Lozano returns to Mexico City with noise around his role; whether he starts or enters later, he changes spacing and attention.
• Manu Duah adds set-piece threat and confidence—important if SDFC decide to defend deep and steal moments.

Even the club narratives pull the tempo in opposite directions: Pumas are three-time winners of this competition (1980, 1982, 1989) but have fallen short in modern finals, while San Diego are still writing their early history, already one of the rare tournament debutants to hit four against Liga MX. The prize is also practical: the aggregate winner moves on to face Toluca in the Round of 16.

UNAM Pumas vs San Diego FC prediction and betting odds

From a sports betting angle, the betting odds reflect a strong home lean: 1.85 for Pumas, 4.35 for the draw, and 4.35 for San Diego. The squad values are close—Pumas at €44.62m, San Diego at €46.45m—so this price is really about altitude, urgency, and the idea that Pumas can win on the night even if the tie is harder to flip.

NerdyTips AI picks: goals first, then the riskier lean

Our model’s best angle is goals. NerdyTips’ AI recommends Over 2.5 goals at 1.6, trust level 6.4.350, and statistical analysis also flags Over 2.5 as the top under/over option (trust 5.3/10, odds 1.6). That pairs neatly with the game script: Pumas must attack early, and San Diego’s counters become more dangerous as spaces open.

• Best tip: Over 2.5 goals (odds 1.6)
• 1X2 lean: Away win (2) at 4.35, trust 3.8/10
• Predicted final score: 2–3
• Predicted halftime score: 1–1

Stats forecast that explains the story

The numbers suggest Pumas control, San Diego efficiency: projected possession 57%–43%, shots 11–10, on-target 4.3, and 10 total corners (6–4). Discipline looks mild (1 yellow for Pumas, 2 for SDFC), which can help a fast match keep its rhythm—good news for an Over 2.5 goals bet.

There is also a quiet reminder that Pumas can steal big moments: they beat Tigres away on January 15 at huge odds (6.1), winning 0–1. If that mentality shows up early, the stadium will believe. For bettors, though, the cleanest UNAM Pumas vs San Diego FC prediction is to follow the match logic: chances, transitions, and at least three goals before the night is done—while keeping the 1X2 away pick as a higher-risk play in the background.