|
|
Mexican Primera Weekend Preview: Jornada 15
This week includes matches between direct group rivals which are vital for various teams that are in the hunt for a playoff ticket. Can Tecos continue in the leader spot of the "Group of Death" when they face a virtually eliminated América? Also, can superlider San Luis and second placed Atlante wrap-up their qualification against lowly Necaxa and crisis-stricken Monterrey?
Oct 31, 2008 9:51:52 AM
Action kicks-off on Friday night with a group two battle between América and group leader Tecos. On Saturday, both San Luis and Atlante will aim to assure qualification in their respective matches against lowly Necaxa and Monterrey, while Chivas hope to continue in positive stride when they receive Pumas. Sunday action includes a crucial group three match between Toluca and Atlas, and Tigres visit the irregular Santos to close week 15 action.
Friday, 31 October, 2008
(home teams listed first, all times local)
20:00 Tecos - América
Saturday, 1 November, 2008
17:00 Cruz Azul - Pachuca
17:00 Monterrey - Atlante
19:00 Chivas - Pumas
19:00 Indios - Puebla
21:00 Necaxa - San Luis
Sunday, 19 October, 2008
12:00 Morelia - Jaguares
12:00 Toluca - Atlas
20:00 Santos - Tigres
Tecos - América
After losing the Súper Clásico against Chivas last week, Águilas of América visit Zapopan to face group two leaders Tecos.
The Tecolotes arrive rested to this encounter after not having any participation in the jornada 14, because their match against Atlante was postponed due to inclement weather in Cancún. Still, they are in good playing form and will be motivated to perform against one of their most hated rivals.
On the other hand, América will try to recover and leave behind the derby defeat. The Águilas have not been officially eliminated and are motivated knowing that there exists a slight hope of qualifying for the post-season.
In this "Group of Death" battle América desperately need the victory, otherwise they will lose more ground in the group and there will be no more qualifying chances. Still, the match does not appear to be in their favor, since Tecos have exhibited a better playing style, form and consistency that has them at the top of the group with two pending matches.
Cruz Azul - Pachuca
In an attractive match, both Cruz Azul and Pachuca will aim to return to victory and move a step closer towards qualification when they face each other this Saturday at Estadio Azul.
Cruz Azul suffered more than expected last week in their 2-2 draw at Puebla and will have to do without the suspended César Villaluz and Gerardo Torrado. While they are in qualification zone they cannot be confident, the Cementeros urgently need a victory because the second group is real tight and with a combination of results, they may find themselves out of playoff contention at the end of the weekend.
The Tuzos have yet to demonstrate a consistent form at this point of the season and that is why they are in a similar situation. Pachuca tied at one goal apiece against Morelia in the jornada 14 and need to sum by three points to get closer to the Liguilla. In the first group they are only three points behind second placed Atlante, but both Indios and Monterrey are only a victory away from drawing level with them.
Monterrey - Atlante
In another promising match, crisis-stricken Monterrey receive group one leader Atlante.
Rayados were further submerged in their bad moment last weekend when they suffered their fifth defeat in seven weeks against superlider San Luis. Monterrey players indicated their intention to pull-out of their mess and club officials declared their support for the continuity of coach Ricardo La Volpe, but they do not appear to have a solution to their troubles and will most likely not be part of the postseason, since they have faltered at home on four occasions this season.
The Potros did not have any action last week in their match against Tecos due to heavy rainfall in Cancún. Atlante play an enjoyable and effective brand of football, which has contributed to a positive form with only two defeats and undefeated at home and taken them to the top of the first group and the second spot of the general table. In fact, they can wrap up qualification with a victory against Monterrey this weekend.
In an interesting side note, Monterrey coach Ricardo La Volpe will face the only team he has won a championship with in the Mexican league and Atlante coach José Guadalupe Cruz was also one of the players on that championship team.
Chivas - Pumas
After defeating their arch-rival in the National derby, in-form Chivas must now face one of the other big teams and fellow group two challenger Pumas, in perhaps the most attractive match of the week.
Chivas is living a great moment in both league and the Copa Sudamericana, with three straight victories in both events. They have experienced a positive turnaround to their early crisis and through the good form of their young squad and the motivation of their imposing derby victory, Chivas have a firm stance in the qualification zone. If the Rebaño continue on the same path they aim to be a top contender for the crown.
Pumas managed to salvage a last minute home draw against Indios last weekend, as they continue in a serious plunge of six winless weeks. Their good start and performances in the first weeks of the torneo have been left behind, and they now seek to get out of the bad moment anyway possible and try to slip in to the playoffs.
Only two points separate Chivas and Pumas in the second group, but given each sides current form and motivation the Rebaño Sagrado have the slight advantage to take the victory.
Indios - Puebla
Relegation candidates Indios and Puebla face each other in a crucial match for their future aspirations of permanence in the maximum category of Mexican football.
The bordertown team was close to taking the three points from their away match against Pumas last week, but the match ended 1-1 and they took home a valuable away point. Indios have maintained a regularity this season and while they have had some impressive home performances, have failed to take full advantage from playing at home on numerous occasions.
On the other hand, Camoteros were also close from earning a shocking victory against Cruz Azul, but they failed to make the most of home field advantage and the match ended in a 2-2 draw. Puebla coach Mario Carrillo has yet to earn a victory in his six matches disputed, but given his experience and the lack of home effectivity of Indios, la Franja have a slight advantage to take more than a point from Ciudad Juárez.
Qualification is out of question for both Indios and Puebla, and what is important is to sum as many points possible from the remaining matches.
Both sides are at the very bottom of the relegation percentage table and a defeat for either team will be a huge blow to their hopes of salvation the following season.
Necaxa - San Luis
In a "sibling rivarly" match, perpetual superlider San Luis will aim to assure qualification this weekend when they visit bottom of the table Necaxa in Aguascalientes.
The Rayos have had a miserable campaign and are eliminated from any playoff chance, but they managed to rescue a valuable away point against Tigres in the jornada 14. Necaxa do not play like a last placed team and perhaps bad luck has been a contributing factor to their poor form. However, last weeks result may motivate them to give their faithful a reason to celebrate amidst their horrible campaign.
In turn, the Gladiadores sent Monterrey further in crisis with a 2-0 victory. San Luis does not cease in their objective to maintain the top spot until the end of the season and once they clinch a playoff spot will be the main candidate for the title.
Both squads are in completely opposite positions, Necaxa is at the bottom of the third group and in the general table, while San Luis lead both.
Morelia - Jaguares
This season, Monarcas have recovered the respect they lost in past campaigns and given their positive playing form and results, visiting Jaguares will have to do more than usual to escape without a defeat.
La Monarquía returns home after two consecutive away matches, in the last one they played to a difficult draw against Pachuca. Morelia in an upswing and with their good footballistic form is lining up as a serious contender for the title once they qualify for the playoffs.
The Chiapas side lost ground in group three when they failed to take full home advantage in their scoreless draw against Toluca last week. Despite good numbers with recently appointed coach Francisco Avilán, they not only need victories from their remaining three matches but depend on other results for any serious chance of making the Liguilla.
Toluca - Atlas
Two clubs that delivered spectacular and memorable encounters in the past will face each other with the third spot of Group 3 as the main objective. The Zorros of Atlas will visit the Diablos Rojos of Toluca in a midday match at the "Bombonera."
The Diablos did not do enough to take home more than a point from their scoreless draw against Jaguares last week. This has not been the best torneo for the eight-time champion, but with a positive result at home against a group rival Toluca can improve their campaign.
Rojinegros are in ascension after defeating champion Santos 2-1 last week for their second straight victory and third unbeaten week. Even if they will be visitors, Atlas has a slight advantage due to the motivation from defeating the champion, current form and because coach Darío Franco has found the appropriate formation for the individual talents of his young squad.
Both teams know that this is a vital match for their playoff aspirations, since they are currently tied at 18 points apiece in the third group and the victor will supersede the loser in the group and move closer to the desired qualification zone.
Santos - Tigres
Week 15 action comes to a close with a Northern duel, when Santos of Torreón receive the visit of Tigres of Nuevo León.
Santos return home after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Atlas last jornada and playing to a dramatic 4-4 draw in CONCACAF. No team has been more irregular than the current champion, with five wins, four draws and five defeats this season. Still, the Guerreros have a firm hold on the second spot of the first group and if they can return to victory will move closer to reserving a spot in the postseason.
The Nuevo León side drew level with last placed Necaxa last week and did not appear to be the same team that destroyed Monterrey a few weeks back. They appear to depend too much on midfielder Lucas Lobos, since the overall team performance at times reflects the players participation in the match. While Tigres have a comfortable position in the second spot of Group 3 and are third in the general table, they have three matches the following week in which they have to demonstrate that they have recovered from their mid-season dip and are ready for the Liguilla.
César García covers México for Goal.com.
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
-
McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.