Vancouver Whitecaps and Pumas UNAM are back in action in the CONCACAF Champions Cup when they square off in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Wednesday. Both sides will be looking to place one foot in the semis and this makes for a thrilling battle at BC Place.
Vancouver Whitecaps failed to return to winning ways at the weekend as they played out a goalless draw with Toronto FC in their MLS clash at BMO Field.
This followed a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Chicago Fire on March 23, a result which saw their seven-game unbeaten run across all competitions come to an end.
The Whitecaps now turn their focus to the Champions Cup, where they overturned a first-leg deficit to beat Saprissa 3-2 on aggregate in the first round before needing penalties to see off Monterrey after a 3-3 stalemate over two legs.
Over in Mexico, Pumas UNAM also returned to winning ways in Mexican Liga MX as they edged out Club Leon 2-1 at the Estadio León last Sunday.
Before that, Efraín Juárez’s men snapped their run of four consecutive league defeats courtesy of a 3-1 win over Puebla on March 8, one week before crashing down to earth in a 3-1 home loss against Monterrey.
Pumas, who are currently 10th in the Liga MX table, now turn their focus to the Champions Cup, where they kicked off their campaign with a 3-1 aggregate win over Canadian outfit Cavalry FC before knocking out Alajuelense thanks to a 3-1 victory over two legs.
Vancouver Whitecaps have enjoyed a solid start to the 2025 calendar year and will be looking to forge ahead in their quest for a first-ever continental title. Pumas picked up a morale-boosting result against a well-drilled Club Leon side last time out, but we predict the Whitecaps will make the most of their home advantage and secure a vital first-leg victory.
Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 Pumas UNAM
Tip 1: Result - Vancouver Whitecaps to win
Tip 2: First to score - The Whitecaps (Pumas have conceded the opening goal in eight of their last nine outings)
Tip 3: Over 4.5 cards - No (There have also been fewer than five bookings in five of the visitors’ last seven games)