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Bicentenario Jornada 1 Preview
The Bicentenario 2010 campaign will kick off Saturday with a slew of games as Goal.com previews the action.
Jan 15, 2010 12:29:00 PM
Goal.com
Another season is upon us as a new champion is poised to be crowned.
After all, since Mexico began the current short-season format in 1996, only one team has successfully defended their title. So Monterrey has no chance then, right?
Maybe. Maybe not. That remains to be seen. For now, 17 clubs will hope to knock off los Rayados from their perch, and all that begins now.
SATURDAY
Jaguares vs. Cruz Azul, 6 p.m. ET
Preview: Jaguares will try to revert last season’s fortunes at home by trying to win a game at their stadium. La Maquina will look to try and get over the heartbreak from the recent loss in the final to Monterrey with the reunification of Christian Gimenez and Enrique Meza. Both teams have their squads at the ready to kick off the Bicentenario 2010 with a bang, with Cruz Azul looking to do more damage than Jaguares.
Prediction: Cruz Azul, 2-0.
Monterrey vs. Indios, 6 p.m. ET
Monterrey will receive Indios in their first game trying to defend their title as Mexican champions. In addition, Monterrey come back with an extra bounce after booking their ticket to the Copa Libertadores. Undoubtedly, both teams lost important members but it has been Monterrey who have replaced former players with adequate reinforcements such as Sergio Perez and Neri Cardozo. The most important thing on Indios’ minds will have to be getting out of last place on the relegation table.
Prediction: Monterrey, 1-0
Pachuca vs. Estudiantes, 8 p.m. ET
One of the storied Mexican clubs will try to write history in the opening of the Bicentenario 2010. High-flying Estudiantes will pay a visit to Pachuca after booking their place in the Copa Libertadores turning around a 2-0 deficit. Pachuca will also have to deal with missing retired Gabriel Caballero and now Cruz Azul player Christian Gimenez. Estudiantes on the other hand have trotting “Pony” Ruiz on fire.
Prediction: Draw, 2-2
Atlante vs. Queretaro, 8 p.m. ET
Atlante and Queretaro will try to turn things around after having a bad Apertura tournament. Queretaro tired to turn things around late but by then it was too late. Queretaro will also have relegation breathing down their necks. Atlante will not have the excuse of preparing for the Club World cup anymore and it should show us what they are really made of. Both teams will have a full and complete roster for the game.
Prediction: Atlante, 2-0.
Chivas vs. Toluca, 8 p.m. ET
Guadalajara will have a big test in front of them in Toluca. This game will no doubt be the measuring stick to see how far Chivas has improved or declined. Toluca will come back with the same core group which has always gotten the results in past seasons. The only change is the drop of their veteran keeper Hernan Christante. This game should be Adolfo Bautista’s debut game even though he will probably not start. Both teams have a complete squad for the encounter
Prediction: Draw, 1-1
SUNDAY
Puebla vs. Tigres, 1 p.m. ET
While Puebla leaves relegation behind, Tigres get closer and closer to it. Tigres have not been a competitive team in quite some time and this season won’t be any different. Puebla on the other hand had a superb Interliga falling short to Estudiantes in the final. The other thing to mention is that Tigres has not been able to beat Puebla since they returned to the top flight in 2007. Luis Enrique Muñoz will not show up for Puebla for he is injured. Tigres will go without Lucas Ayala who is suspended.
Prediction: Puebla, 3-1
Pumas vs. Atlas, 1 p.m. ET
Which Pumas team will show up for the new season may be determined from the start. The team is under immense pressure to deliver, and a bad performance before their home supporters will not be ideal for Pumas. Atlas had a bad season a year ago but the club tried to change their roster around a little. The most notable change is manager Carlos Ischia, who promised to implement an attack-minded scheme.
Prediction: Pumas, 2-1.
America vs. San Luis, 5 p.m. ET
The season hasn't even started and club officials have already had to defend their manager and quell fears of his possible ouster while players have had to explain away a tough loss. Welcome to Club America. The pressure is insane around the club and the desire for a title is strong. San Luis will prove a good opponent for las Aguilas this weekend. Los Gladiadores do not figure to contend, are welcoming new faces and are the perfect opponent for America to push around.
Prediction: America, 3-1.
Santos vs. Morelia, 5 p.m. ET
In a rematch of an Apertura 2009 quarterfinal series, Santos will host Morelia at the TSM. Santos were not very inspiring during InterLiga, save for a 20-minute span during their third and final match. Santos were too often pushed around in InterLiga and may have shown signs of struggling under new manager Ruben Omar Romano. However, Morelia have not had the same sort of preparation for the season that Santos did, for as bad as InterLiga went for los Guerreros, they already face league competition in meaningful games, while Morelia spent a lot of time preparing on the beach. But that only goes so far.
Prediction: Draw, 1-1.
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