Last Updated on February 4, 2024 7:26 pm by Erwin Noguera
The CONCACAF Champions Cup 2024 kicks off with the first round leg 1, featuring exciting clashes between clubs across the region.
In this opening week, Nicaraguan club Real Esteli will face Club America, the best team in Mexico. The Vancouver Whitecaps and St. Louis City will face Tigres UANL and Houston Dynamo, respectively. Jamaican club Cavalier will take on MLS’s FC Cincinnati. These matchups feature some of the best clubs in the region and will give us an early idea of which teams could emerge as favorites in this new edition of the tournament.
With national pride and a place in the next round at stake, the First Round legs promise action and excitement from start to finish between some truly talented teams.
Here are the most relevant matches of this CONCACAF Champions Cup first round leg 1.
CONCACAF Champions Cup: First Round Leg 1 – Comunicaciones vs. Monterrey – Info
When and where?
Tuesday, February 6, 08:00 pm ET at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores
Moneyline odds:
Comunicaciones 5.25
Monterrey 1.65
Draw Offs:
3.90
Where can I watch it?
FOX Sports, TUDN, fubo, and ESPN
Comunicaciones comes into this clash after being the champions of the Apertura 2023 in Guatemala. They had an extraordinary end to the season, undefeated in their last eight games in all competitions. Coach Ivan Franco Sopegno seems to have the team playing well and will look to veteran striker Jose Manuel Contreras and Ecuadorian Juan Anangonó to lead the attack against Monterrey. They share first place in their local league in Guatemala with Coban Imperial after two wins and a draw in three games played.
Monterrey’s form before this match has been consistent, to say the least. Despite being one of the favorites in the Apertura 2023, they are coming off a disappointing run in the Liguilla, as they fell in their first Quarterfinal match to San Luis with a 1-2 aggregate score. However, they had strong performances in the CONCACAF Champions League, and now they are off to a great start in the Apertura 2024 of Liga MX, leading the table with 10 out of 12 possible points and eight goals scored in four games.
There is no doubt that this match has a clear favorite to win, and they are none other than Rayados de Monterrey.
Comunicaciones vs. Monterrey Betting Pick: Monterrey
CONCACAF Champions Cup: First Round Leg 1 – Real Estelí vs. América – Info
When and where?
Tuesday, February 6, 10:00 pm ET at the Estadio Independencia
Moneyline odds:
Real Estelí 7.00
América 1.40
Draw Offs:
4.60
Where can I watch it?
FOX Sports, TUDN, fubo, and ESPN
Real Estelí is the current runner-up in the Nicaraguan Primera División. They come after losing in the Apertura 2023 Grand Final to Diriangén 1-2. Esteli is led by attackers Bryon Bonilla and Juan Barrera. Bonilla finished as one of the top scorers in the Nicaraguan league last season, while Barrera provided creativity from midfield. Currently, Real Esteli is second in the Clausura 2024 standings after two wins and one draw in three games.
Club América is one of Mexico’s biggest clubs and the most successful team in CONCACAF Champions League history, with seven titles. The Eagles can call on a wealth of talented attacking players such as Henry Martin and Julian Andres Quiñones. They also have the leadership of Luis Malagon in goal. They are at the top of the table after four rounds in Liga MX with three wins, one draw, six goals scored, and none conceded.
Club América’s talent and experience should shine through to beat Real Esteli 3-1.
Real Estelí vs. América Betting Pick: América
CONCACAF Champions Cup: First Round Leg 1 – Whitecaps vs. Tigres – Info
When and where?
Wednesday, February 7, 10:00 pm ET at the Westhills Stadium
Moneyline odds:
Whitecaps 3.20
Tigres 2.20
Draw Offs:
3.60
Where can I watch it?
FOX Sports, TUDN, fubo, and ESPN
The Vancouver Whitecaps come into this matchup as underdogs against Liga MX powerhouse Tigres UANL. They had some trouble in MLS last season, as although they qualified for the postseason, they fell short against LAFC in the First Round and ended up losing 2-6 on aggregate. However, they will be looking for a pleasant surprise in this match against one of the best teams in Liga MX.
Tigres, for their part, will turn to their star-studded roster, including André-Pierre Gignac, Juan Brunetta, Diego Lainez, and Nahuel Guzmán. Led by coach Robert Dante Siboldi, Tigres will be heavy favorites to win this match despite playing away from home.
This will be an important test for the Whitecaps against one of the best teams in CONCACAF. While an upset can never be ruled out, Tigres should be able to rely on their superior talent to win.
Whitecaps vs. Tigres Betting Pick: Tigres
CONCACAF Champions Cup: First Round Leg 1 – Forge vs. Guadalajara – Info
When and where?
Wednesday, February 7, 08:00 pm ET at the Tim Hortons Field
Moneyline odds:
Forge 8.50
Guadalajara 1.33
Draw Offs:
5.25
Where can I watch it?
FOX Sports, TUDN, fubo, and ESPN
Forge FC’s strengths lie in their organized defense, midfield possession, and ability to get results. They are an experienced and disciplined team. Potential weaknesses include generating offense against quality opponents and lack of depth compared to MLS clubs. The Canadians will rely heavily on players like Bekker and Borges to create chances.
Overall, Forge FC is one of the top clubs in the CPL, with back-to-back championships to their credit. They excel at competing as a cohesive unit and will look to translate that success against Guadalajara in the Champions Cup. Keep in mind that they have won four of the five editions of the Canadian Premier League that have been contested, so they have the confidence to play these types of matches.
On the other hand, Chivas is known for adhering to their philosophy of playing with passion, spirit, and discipline. Their roster of Mexican players can be seen as both a strength and a weakness; while it generates great team chemistry, it also limits their options. Likewise, with the arrival of Chicharito Hernandez to bolster Rebaño Sagrado’s forward line, we are confident that this team will have a new face from here on out.
Chivas have a strong attacking style of play, but at times have shown defensive vulnerabilities. In this Liga MX Clausura 2024, their record is one win, two draws, and one loss, and they are coming off a 3-2 win over Toluca.
There is no doubt that our prediction for this match is a Guadalajara victory.
Forge vs. Guadalajara Betting Pick: Guadalajara
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