Leagues Cup Picks and Predictions (7/29): New Tournament Kicks Off in North America

The 2025 Leagues Cup kicks off tonight with the first matches of action. This tournament takes place across all three North American countries, involving teams from the MLS and Liga MX. The Mexican clubs are just two or three games into their regular season, while the MLS just had their All Star Game. Let’s get in to our favorite Leagues Cup picks for tonight.

Head over to our Soccer Picks Page for our expert’s soccer analysis, or read my best bets below.

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Leagues Cup: Tuesday’s Predictions July 29

We have 36 teams competing in this tournament split into two groups of 18 clubs, separated by league. We have the top nine teams from each MLS Conference from last season, with San Diego FC taking the spot of the Vancouver Whitecaps, as well as all 18 representatives from Liga MX.

This is an official event sanctioned by Concacaf, so the top three teams will have automatic bids into the Concacaf Champions Cup. The league phase of this tournament begins today, followed by bracket-style knockout rounds involving the top eight clubs, and the Leagues Cup Final on August 31.

Each team is on a table within their own league, but will play matches against clubs from the opposite side, with the top four from each table moving on to the quarterfinals.

Something interesting with the format is that there will be no ties! Teams receive three points for a win in 90 minutes and none for a loss. Both teams receive one point if things are tied after regulation. Then clubs will go immediately into a penalty kick shootout, giving the winner two points total for the match.

Now that we know how it works, let’s get in to today’s Leagues Cup picks.

Toluca vs. Columbus Crew: Leagues Cup Picks

Best Bet: Columbus Crew ML (+142) BetOnline

I will back Columbus at home to start off this tournament. Sure, the Crew are coming off a home loss to Orlando City, but they are 9-4-2 at home this season, only losing to Inter Miami and Orlando, two very good clubs.

Toluca is No. 2 on the Liga MX table, but they are only three matches into the season. They beat Santos and América on the road, but lost 4-3 at home to Tigres UANL on their last match. Point being, against tough competition they crumbled, scoring two concession goals in the 88′ and 90’+3′ to make the loss not seem as bad.

I fear Toluca is too aggressive for their own good, and against a team like the Crew who are in midseason form, it might cause them to get caught out front. Columbus is No. 4 in the Eastern Conference, scoring 1.64 goals per match. I do think we see multiple goals, but the Crew should give their fans something to cheer about tonight.

Prediction: Columbus Crew Wins 2-1 (+825)

Tigres UANL vs. Houston Dynamo: Leagues Cup Picks

Best Bet: Tigres UANL ML (-112)  BetOnline

Houston is bad. That’s the bet tonight. The Dynamo are winless in three straight matches, and their home field advantage won’t matter. Houston is 4-2-7 at home this season, losing to some very bad teams on their own turf. Tonight I see Tigres coming in and earning three points.

They’ve played just two matches in their domestic league so far, but won both of them. They shutout FC Juarez 1-0 at home to start the season, and then beat Toluca 4-3 on the road. However, they were down 1-0 just 11 minutes into the match, but equalized less than 10 minutes later, and held a 4-1 lead from the 58′ until the end. I am not worried about that meltdown.

I think this Tigres team is ready to surprise some people on the big stage who might not be as familiar with them.

Prediction: Tigres UANL Win 2-0 (+850)

Pachuca vs. San Diego FC: Leagues Cup Picks

Best Bet: San Diego FC ML (+135) BetOnline

Back the new kids on the block with me in this tournament. They technically did not qualify as this is their first season in the MLS, but they are tearing up their domestic league and should do the same in this competition.

They are coming off a shutout win against Nashville SC, who is No. 3 in the Eastern Conference, and are barely allowing a goal per match. San Diego sits on top of the Western Conference, netting 1.92 goals per match while conceding just 1.28.

We already saw Pachuca on the big stage in the FIFA Club World Cup, and things didn’t go well. They lost all three matches, to RB Salzburg, Real Madrid, and Al Hilal in what was a preseason tournament for them. Since the Liga MX began, they are 3-0-0 and sitting alone on top of the table.

Pachuca beat Monterrey 3-0 at home, while knocking off Pumas UNAM on a 68′ winner, and shutting out Mazatlán FC at home as well. But to be honest with you, San Diego is better than all of those teams in my eyes. This might be a bit of a wake up call facing the new team in the MLS that is 8-4-3 on their own field this season.

Prediction: San Diego Wins 3-1 (+1700)

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