The Liga MX battle for early momentum intensifies this Sunday as Santos Laguna hosts FC Juárez for Matchday 3 of the Clausura 2026 season. Broadcast live across the United States, this fixture carries significant weight, particularly for the home side, the 'Guerreros,' who find themselves under immediate pressure after a disastrous start to the championship campaign.
A Desperate Search for Points: Santos Faces Early Crisis
For Santos Laguna, the opening weeks of the Clausura 2026 have been nothing short of alarming. Under intense scrutiny at their home fortress, the TSM Corona, the team has managed zero points from their first two outings. The narrative surrounding the club is one of frustration, having fallen twice by identical 3-1 scorelines—first to Necaxa, and then repeating the result against Toluca.
These initial defeats have placed Santos near the bottom of the early standings, magnifying the urgency for a victory against Juárez. In the highly competitive environment of Liga MX, dropping points early can create a psychological deficit that is difficult to overcome later in the tournament. Coach and players alike know that a home win against a direct rival is essential to steady the ship and appease a demanding fanbase.
Juárez Looks to Build Momentum After Mixed Start
In contrast, FC Juárez, known as the 'Bravos,' enters the contest with a more balanced, albeit modest, record. They opened their campaign with a respectable 2-1 away victory over Mazatlán FC, signaling their intent to be competitive on the road. However, they followed that up with a narrow 1-0 defeat against powerhouse Chivas, leaving them with three points—a solid foundation, but one they will be keen to build upon.
For Juárez, securing a result in Torreón represents an opportunity to stake a claim as a serious contender for playoff positioning, especially given their surprisingly strong head-to-head record against Santos in recent history.
Historical Dominance Favors the Border Team
While Santos Laguna typically commands respect at the TSM Corona, the recent history between these two clubs heavily favors FC Juárez. Analyzing the last five direct encounters, the Bravos have secured four victories, leaving the Guerreros with a solitary win. This statistical anomaly highlights a tactical or mental hurdle that Santos must overcome this weekend.
Perhaps the most telling result in this recent history occurred during the Apertura 2023 tournament. On October 29, 2023, Santos Laguna achieved their last triumph over Juárez, and it was an emphatic one, crushing the Bravos with a resounding 5-1 scoreline. Since that memorable high, however, the momentum has decidedly shifted toward the team from Ciudad Juárez.
This historical context adds an extra layer of pressure on the Santos squad. It suggests that Juárez knows how to exploit weaknesses in the Laguna setup, regardless of location or current form.
Key Broadcast Details for US Viewers
For soccer fans across the United States tracking the vital early stages of the Clausura 2026, the match details have been confirmed, making it easy to tune in for what promises to be an intense 90 minutes.
The game is scheduled to take place on Sunday, January 18th, at the Estadio TSM Corona in Torreón.
Kickoff times are staggered to accommodate various US time zones:
- Eastern Time (ET): 6:00 PM
- Central Time (CT): 5:00 PM
- Pacific Time (PT): 3:00 PM
Viewers in the United States can catch all the action exclusively via TUDN, available through cable subscriptions, the official tudn.com website, or the dedicated TUDN mobile application. This ensures high-definition coverage for fans tracking the fortunes of both Liga MX sides as they battle for crucial early points.
Implications for the Clausura 2026 Campaign
The stakes are undeniably high. For Santos, a loss here would precipitate an unprecedented early-season crisis, potentially leading to significant internal restructuring or fan discontent. They must demonstrate resilience and tactical discipline to halt the slide.
Conversely, a victory for FC Juárez would solidify their reputation as a tough opponent capable of winning on the road against historically strong teams. It would elevate them into the top tier of the early standings and provide a massive psychological boost heading into the meat of the tournament schedule. Every point matters in the race for the Liguilla, and this Matchday 3 encounter provides the perfect stage for either team to define their early narrative.
As the atmosphere builds around the TSM Corona, all eyes will be on whether the Guerreros can finally break their losing streak or if the Bravos will continue their surprising dominance in this fixture.