The Champions Cup Final kicks off on Saturday, June 1 at 9:15 pm EST at Mexico’s Estadio Hidalgo, home of Pachuca, and not only is there the obvious home advantage that any team would have, but also a big altitude advantage. Pachuca is 8,000 feet above sea level, whereas Columbus is 800 feet. The Crew have been busy this week training with altitude masks and altitude tents. Something to consider in Saturday’s Pachuca vs Columbus prediction.
Pachuca, Los Tuzos, are 5-time winners of this competition, while Columbus looks to be the 2nd MLS team to win after Seattle won in 2022.
It is Columbus though, ranked as the top team in the CONCACAF Club Rankings, with Pachuca being 3rd.
On the line is a spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
To reach the final Pachuca beat the Philadelphia Union in the Round of 16, 0-0 and 6-0. Then Herediano 5-0 and 2-1 in the Quarterfinals and finally Club America 1-1 and 2-1 in the Semifinals.
For Columbus, they beat the Houston Dynamo 1-0 and 1-1 in the Round of 16, Tigres 1-1 and 1-1 (PK win) in the Quarterfinals and Monterrey 2-1 and 3-1 in the Semifinals.
Pachuca vs Columbus Odds
Here are the full Champions Cup Final odds.
- PAC -175
- DRAW +375
- CLB +350
- PAC to lift trophy -300
- CLB to lift trophy +225
- Over 2.5 -154
- Under 2.5 +100
- BTTS Yes -138
- BTTS No +100
Pachuca vs Columbus Crew Head-to-Head
This is the first-ever meeting between these teams.
Pachuca Form
Pachuca were 7th in the Clausura regular season and went out in the Quarterfinals to Club America but drew them twice 1-1, getting knocked out by being the lower seed from the regular season.
In the regular season, they were the ultimate over team scoring 34 goals and allowing 27 in just 17 games.
That was the 2nd most GF and their games averaged tied for the most GPM at 3.6.
Bets on Over 2.5 went 12-5, and Over 1.5 went 15-2. Meanwhile, Salamon Rondon was tied for the Golden Boot lead with 8 goals
Looking at all matches of late and they have 4 draws in last 7, have only scored multiple goals in 3/9 and the Under 2.5 is 7-2.
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Columbus Crew Form
The Crew are 5th in the East in MLS, though have played 1, 2 and even 3 games less than some other teams.
Since they knocked out Monterrey they have a 2-1 loss, 3-1 win, 3-1 win and 2-0 road win over Orlando last weekend.
A 2-1 loss to Cincinnati in that time is their only loss in 13 games and in 20 games in all comps in 2024 only 3 times have they been held off the scoresheet.
Columbus’ MLS games have averaged 2.4 GPM, they’re 7-7 to 2.5 totals and their 13 GA are a league-low, though again, they’ve played a few fewer games.
They have a big question mark in Cucho Hernandez who has missed the last 3 games with a back injury though manager Wilfried Nancy says he’s trained normally this week and should be good to go.
Even still, they also have Diego Rossi who has 4 goals and 2 assists in the Crew’s last 3 games.
Pachuca vs Columbus Prediction
Here are some more stats to consider when making your Champions Cup picks and Pachuca vs Columbus prediction.
- Pachuca have scored in all but 1 game this tournament, and that includes a 6-0 home route of the Union
- Salamon Rondon is the tournament goal leader with 7 goals
- Pachuca have been off since May 11, losing in the Clausura Quarterfinals
- Columbus has scored in every game in the tournament, but BTTS is 5-1
- Scoring 5 goals vs Monterrey is no small feat, nor is scoring in both games vs Tigres
- But Columbus have just 1 clean sheet in 5 games and 6 in 20 in all comps
- In Pachuca’s last 20 home games, they’ve only failed to score 3 times and there’s been 2+ goals in 18/20
I dont believe Pachuca should be as favored as they are. So Columbus to lift the trophy at +225 looks like way better value than Pachuca at -175 in regulation or -300 for the trophy.
Both teams to score looks like a good bet for me here in this final as the last 3 for Pachuca and the last 5 for Columbus in the tournament have all hit that bet.
Pachuca may be at home, but this team was a mid-pack team in the Clausura who went out in the Quarterfinals and allowed 27 goals in 17 games. They’re up against the MLS Cup champs, but they have a final on their pitch and with a big elevation advantage.
Pachuca vs Columbus prediction: Both to score (-138). For better value I’d bet the draw (+375) or the Crew to lift the trophy (+225).
Ryan Métivier is a seasoned editor, writer and communications professional with years of experience in all fields. When it comes to covering sports, he’s written for numerous outlets and organizations including the OHL, CHL, SportsXpress, Sports Betting Dime, Cleveland.com, MassLive, FanSided and others.
While he’ll always cheer for his hometown Toronto teams, when it comes to betting, his only allegiance is his bankroll. Ryan specializes in global soccer, the NFL and the NHL, but if there is a bet to be made, he’ll make it. As the founder of Shred The Spread, Ryan focuses on combining storylines, trends, analytics and good bankroll management to creating simple bets that make sense.
When not making a case for why both teams will score in an MLS soccer match, he can be found focusing his efforts on fitness, attempting to learn Spanish, cooking or planning his travel adventure.
