Monterrey vs Austin FC: Preview, predictions, team news | OneFootball

Austin FC welcome Liga MX giants Monterrey to Q2 Stadium this week in Leagues Cup West Group 1 action.

Rayados are fresh off two wins in Liga MX Apertura play over Necaxa and Queretaro after their humbling 4-0 defeat to Cruz Azul at the Estadio BBVA. Head coach Fernando 'Tano' Ortiz is under pressure to deliver this season and an early exit from Leagues Cup wouldn't go down well with the fans of Rayados.

The Verde and Black practically have one foot in the Leagues Cup Round of 32 after their 3-2 triumph over Pumas UNAM last week. Even though new signing Osman Bukari was sent off after being showed a second yellow card in the 34th minute, Austin managed to hang on and take home all three points with Sebastian Driussi's 55th minute strike propelling to the team to victory.

Here's 90min's preview of Rayados vs Austin FC.

What time does Monterrey vs Austin FC kick-off?

Monterrey vs Austin FC H2H record

* This is the first-ever meeting between Monterrey and Austin FC.

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Monterrey vs Austin FC on TV and live stream

Monterrey team news

Oliver Torres is recovering from a shoulder injury / Azael Rodriguez/GettyImages

Rayados will be without new midfielder Oliver Torres as he's recovering from a shoulder injury suffered in early July. The 29-year-old joined Rayados from La Liga side Sevilla and has yet to make his debut but is expected to do so around late August.

Monterrey predicted lineup vs Austin FC

Monterrey predicted lineup vs Austin FC ( 4-2-3-1 ): Andrada, Medina, Guzman, Moreno, Arteaga; Rodriguez, Canales, Meza, Cortizo, Corona; Berterame.

Austin FC team news

Osman Bukari misses the match due to suspension / Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

New signing Osman Bukari will miss the game after he was shown a second yellow card in the first half of the win against Pumas. It's a huge loss for the Verde and Black as they will now be without one of their best attackers against one of the best teams in the region after he made just two appearances.

Austin FC predicted lineup vs Monterrey

Austin FC predicted lineup vs Monterrey ( 4-2-3-1 ): Cleveland; Gallagher, Cascante, Hines-Ike, Guilherme, Ring, Pereira; Obrian, Driussi, Wolff; Rubio.

Monterrey vs Austin FC score prediction

Monterrey haven't been in the best of the form, but luckily for them, form typically goes out of the window for tournaments like Leagues Cup.

With Sergio Canales and German Berterame in the side, Rayados should have enough in them to snatch a late winner at Q2 Stadium and kick-off their Leagues Cup campaign with a win. Austin could cause them problems on the defensive end, but things will be a bit tricky now without Bukari.

Prediction: Monterrey 1-0 Austin FC