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Jornada 15 Preview: Double The Pleasure
Eight midweek clashes will play out in Mexico on Wednesday as the league plays a doble-jornada this week.
Nov 3, 2009 11:54:27 PM
However, there are many issues yet to be determined. Only Toluca have done enough to clinch a playoff spot while several other teams are in hot pursuit. This doble jornada could likely have a great impact on the Liguilla chase.
While most of the games will be played out on Wednesday, the best matchup of the week will take place Thursday night at Estadio Olimpico Universitario.
Goal.com's Game of the Week
Pumas vs. America, Thursday, 10 p.m. ET
Easily the glitziest matchup of the week, this match really only means something for one side. America need points to keep up with the rest of Group 2 while defending champions Pumas are simply playing out the season and focusing on 2010 already. Pumas have not exactly had great luck against America. In their last six matchups, Pumas are 0-2-4 against America, and the club has beaten America just twice since 2004. With nothing to lose, though, Pumas can play a bit more relaxed since the pressure should be on America to get a result. The only problem is that America have lost just once on the road all season. Expect another stellar match from these two teams.
Prediction: America, 3-2.
WEDNESDAY
Jaguares vs. Morelia, 6 p.m. ET
Morelia are lucky to play this match in Chiapas. Had the game been in Estadio Morelos, Jaguares would have stood a chance of winning. The best road team in the league, Jaguares have been nothing short of pathetic at home. Morelia, meanwhile, can overtake Toluca atop the table this week should Monarcas win this game and Toluca lose to Atlante. While that isn't necessarily the team's main concern - reaching the playoffs is - Morelia would likely not turn down the chance to sit atop the table.
Prediction: Morelia, 2-0.
Pachuca vs. Cruz Azul, 8 p.m. ET
A bit of a glitzy matchup, Cruz Azul manager Enrique Meza will visit his former stomping grounds when la Maquina visits Estadio Hidalgo. Meza took Pachuca to the Clausura 2009 final where the club lost to Pumas, but Meza enjoyed success during his standout time with the club. He won the Clausura 2007 title as well as several international championships during his tenure with los Tuzos. But Meza won't be going for revenge, but rather points. Cruz Azul need points to continue putting pressure on Group 3 leaders Santos while Pachuca need points to stay in the Group 2 battle. If anyone knows how Pachuca operate, though, it is Meza and the veteran manager will be sure to take enact knowledge in order to pull out a result.
Prediction: Cruz Azul, 2-1.
Estudiantes vs. San Luis, 9 p.m. ET
The only reason San Luis are not in the same position as Estudiantes is their respective groups. San Luis have 17 points to Estudiantes' 15, but San Luis sit in Group 1, where 17 points is good enough for second place. Toluca lead the group with 29 but Chivas, Atlas, Queretaro and Indios all reside in the worst group in the league. San Luis then need only be the best of the worst to reach the postseason. Estudiantes, meanwhile, have little if any hope left this season. That doesn't necessarily mean the club will not put up a fight, but the Liguilla is probably out of the question, and has been for weeks.
Prediction: San Luis, 1-0.
Queretaro vs. Tigres, 9 p.m. ET
Lowly Queretaro haven't been so lowly of late. Sure, the club lost at Toluca on the weekend but before that Queretaro had consecutive wins against Cruz Azul, Atlas and Indios. Perhaps it took a bit of time before righting their wrongs and adjusting to first-division football. Tigres, meanwhile, have underachieved this season and are hoping for a miracle in Group 3. Only a Cruz Azul collapse and a hot run at the end by Tigres could prevent the club from calling this season a disappointment.
Prediction: Queretaro, 3-2.
Chivas vs. Indios, 9 p.m. ET
Chivas did not fire another manager, did they? In what seems like a bad punchline of a terrible and ongoing joke, Chivas actually did run another man out of town. This neverending coaching carousel is beyond ridiculous. Chivas' impatience is hurting the club and for the team to place all the blame on whoever is running the club from the sidelines is purely misplaced blame. Firing managers lost its effect on the team a long time ago. Indios will benefit against this team that has little clue of building a winner.
Prediction: Indios, 2-1.
Monterrey vs. Santos, 9:30 p.m. ET
Monterrey and Santos is a matchup that could take place in the postseason. Or it's one that won't be repeated until next season. Santos are all but in to the playoffs but Monterrey need to keep winning in order to keep up their place in the tough Group 2 table. A home win against Santos would do wonders for Monterrey's cause as group rivals Morelia and America are on the road. Santos are still somewhat nostalgic about closing out Estadio Corona but the club is also probably happy to have put that chapter in their past.
Prediction: Draw, 1-1.
Atlante vs. Toluca, 10 p.m. ET
Los Potros had a chance to get right back in the Liguilla chase but blew it. The club lost to Cruz Azul badly and missed out on their chance to move into second place in the Group 3 table. Instead, Atlante fell behind Cruz Azul by five points and overtaking la Maquina now will require quite a bit of work. No worries, though, as Atlante will play in the Club World Cup come December anyway. This is essentially then preparation for that tournament. Toluca sit in rarified company as the club is alone in the playoffs for now. But Toluca are not the type to be content with just reaching the playoffs. The club will play full tilt against Atlante as if their playoff lives depended on it. That will make things hard on Atlante.
Prediction: Toluca, 2-1.
Puebla vs. Atlas, 10 p.m. ET
Atlas were supposed to have contended for something this season while Puebla were supposed to have suffered. Instead, Puebla are the ones still in contention while Atlas have had the bad season. Technically, Atlas sit in a bit of a better spot than Puebla. Atlas are two points behind second-place San Luis in their group while Puebla are three back of America and Monterrey in their group. But Puebla will look to fatten up against Atlas and put even more pressure against their group rivals. Puebla have lost just once all season, and Atlas are not in the right frame of mind to hand la Franja loss number two.
Prediction: Puebla, 2-0.
Goal.com
For more coverage of the Mexican Primera Division, visit Goal.com's Mexico page.
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