The 2026 Apertura is just getting started, but the race for the top spots is already quite tight. After three matchdays and the break caused by the Leagues Cup, Liga MX is ready to resume play with Matchday 4, which could completely shake up the top of the standings.
And here’s where it gets interesting: as many as nine clubs have a chance to finish the round as the tournament leaders.
América, Xolos, Toluca, Pumas, Monterrey, Cruz Azul, Querétaro, Necaxa, and Atlas all have a shot at claiming first place, so every match will have much more at stake than just three points.
The round features historic matchups, rivalries with very even head-to-head records, and teams looking to capitalize on the return of competition to gain momentum.
Atlante vs. Toluca
Matchday 4 will kick off with a rather special match. Atlante will host Toluca at Estadio Banorte in a matchup steeped in history.
The last Liga MX match between the two teams ended in a victory for the Potros de Hierro, who won 2-1 in March 2014. Prior to that match, Toluca had racked up five consecutive wins against the Azulgranas.
The team coached by Miguel Herrera has had a strong start to the season, although the historical record clearly favors the Diablos Rojos.
In total, Atlante and Toluca have faced each other 124 times in Liga MX. Toluca has 49 wins, while Atlante has 38, with 37 draws recorded.
Monterrey vs. FC Juárez
The Rayados de Monterrey will return home to host FC Juárez at the BBVA.
Recent history between the two teams heavily favors La Pandilla. In 14 Liga MX matchups, Monterrey has secured nine wins, while Juárez has won three, with just two draws recorded.
For the Bravos, the match also marks the start of a new chapter following Pedro Caixinha’s departure.
Interim coach Salvador Valero will make his Liga MX debut at the helm of the team and will look to shake up a squad that needs to get back on track.
Atlas vs. Tigres
Atlas faces a tough test when it hosts Tigres.
The two clubs have faced each other 110 times in Liga MX, and the Tigres hold a slight historical advantage: 36 wins to the Rojinegros’ 32, along with 33 draws.
The statistic that worries Atlas fans the most is the team’s recent streak.
Tigres has gone five consecutive games without a loss against Atlas, with two wins and three draws.
To find the last Atlas victory, you have to go back to the 2023 Apertura, when Atlas won 2-0 at Estadio Jalisco.
Now the Guadalajara-based team will have the opportunity to snap that streak and, in the process, throw themselves headfirst into the fight for the top spots.
Pumas vs. Querétaro
Another matchup with interesting statistics will be the clash between Pumas and Querétaro.
Universidad leads the head-to-head record with 19 wins, while the Gallos have 16, and there have been 12 draws in the 47 Liga MX matchups between the two teams.
In addition, Pumas has a winning streak when hosting Querétaro.
The Pumas have gone six consecutive games without a loss at Ciudad Universitaria against the Gallos, with four wins and two draws.
Querétaro has managed only two wins at Pumas’ home stadium. The first was in July 2013, a 3-0 victory, and the most recent came in August 2018, when they won 1-0.
In the last 10 matchups between the two teams, Pumas has won five, Querétaro two, and three have ended in draws.
América vs. Atlético de San Luis
América will also be in action, hosting Atlético de San Luis.
This matchup has a rather curious statistic: América and Atlético de San Luis have never tied in Liga MX.
In 17 matches, the Águilas have won 12 and the team from San Luis Potosí has won five.
One of the matches that came closest to ending in a draw was in the 2021 Apertura, although América ended up winning 1-0 on the road thanks to a goal by Roger Martínez in the 90+7th minute.
Atlético de San Luis has secured four of its five wins against América in Mexico City. In fact, that fourth victory came in the previous tournament.
In their last 10 meetings, América has six wins and San Luis has four.
Santos vs. Chivas
Santos Laguna and Chivas will face off in another matchup with a long history.
The two teams have faced each other 81 times in Liga MX. Santos Laguna holds the edge with 31 wins, while Guadalajara has 27, and there have been 23 draws.
When Santos hosts Chivas, history also favors the home team: they’ve won five of the last nine meetings, with three draws and just one loss.
However, Guadalajara arrives with a statistic that could change the outlook.
Chivas has won three of its last four matches against Santos, and in each of those victories, it kept a clean sheet.
So the matchup promises to be a major test for both defenses.
Xolos vs. Cruz Azul
In Tijuana, the Xolos will host Cruz Azul in a match that historically tends to produce plenty of goals.
La Máquina holds the edge in the head-to-head record with 14 wins, compared to Tijuana’s eight and 10 draws, after 32 meetings.
But there’s one statistic that’s sure to catch fans’ attention: these teams have gone 18 consecutive matches without a 0-0 draw.
During that streak, 49 goals were scored: 28 by Cruz Azul and 21 by Xolos.
Additionally, in their last seven meetings at Estadio Caliente, each team has secured three wins, with one draw.
Everything points to a 0-0 draw not exactly being the most likely outcome.
Necaxa vs. León
Necaxa and León will face off once again in a rivalry that now spans 96 Liga MX matches.
The Esmeraldas lead the all-time record with 45 wins, while Necaxa has 31 and there have been 20 draws.
León has also shown significant dominance in recent years: it has won 12 of its last 16 matches against the Rayos, with two draws and just two losses.
And when playing in Aguascalientes, the outlook is even more favorable for the Panzas Verdes, who have secured eight wins in their last 10 visits.
Here’s another interesting fact: these teams have never tied in Aguascalientes.
Their last draw was a 1-1 tie in the 2000 Verano season, although that match was played at Estadio Banorte.
In addition, the last 0-0 draw between the two teams occurred in the 2016 Apertura. Since then, they have faced each other 19 times.
Pachuca vs. Puebla
The matchday will also feature the clash between Pachuca and Puebla.
The Tuzos lead the all-time series with 25 wins, while Puebla has 20, and there have been 17 draws after 62 matchups.
There is one particularly striking streak: both teams have gone 18 consecutive games without a 0-0 draw.
The last time they played to a scoreless draw was in April 2017, right here at Estadio Hidalgo. In that match, Hirving Lozano missed a penalty kick.
Puebla secured its last win against Pachuca at the same venue on April 21, 2021, when it won 3-1.
In their last 10 meetings, Pachuca scored first on seven occasions, while Puebla did so on three.
There was only one comeback during that period: in the 2025 Clausura, Puebla took the lead in the 6th minute, but Pachuca ended up winning 2-1.
Matchday 4 Could Change Everything
With nine teams still in contention for the top spot, Matchday 4 of the 2026 Apertura promises to be one of the most exciting of the tournament’s early stages.
América, Toluca, Xolos, Pumas, Monterrey, Cruz Azul, Querétaro, Necaxa, and Atlas all have the chance to use their respective matches to climb the standings.
After the break for the Leagues Cup, the clubs return to Liga MX with the mission of not letting any points slip away.
And with the standings so tight, a win could mean climbing several spots… while a loss could send any of the contenders far from the top.
