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Jornada 4 Preview: Super Jornada, As Usual
Most of the matchups this weekend are big-game material, but the ninth and final game won't make fans forget about the other Big Game - the Super Bowl - at all.
Feb 5, 2010 11:32:00 AM
FRIDAY
Queretaro vs. Chivas, 9:30 p.m. ET
The top two teams in the league will do battle on Friday. Queretaro could take the Superlider position if they are able to knock off Chivas. Chivas however, have proved they are not the same push over team from last season. Las Chivas posses the most dangerous striker in the Mexican league, Javier Hernandez. The game will be played on the 25th anniversary of the Estadio Corregidora. Queretaro has not seen a defeat at home in their last six games. Both teams will go into the match with full rosters.
Prediction: Queretaro, 2-1
SATURDAY
Cruz Azul vs. Santos, 6 p.m. ET
Two group rivals that will be looking to get better after a some what disappointing start to their seasons. Cruz Azul still hasn’t recovered from their collapse in last seasons final. As for Santos their new stadium has yet to inspire the Guerreros to the promise land. Both teams will be coming off defeats in the past Jornada. Cruz Azul has not yet fully established the workings of Christian Gimenez and Enrique Meza. Ruben Omar Romano will need to see some positive results soon if he wants to keep his seat. Cruz Azul will have Joel Huiqui and Horacio Cervantes out. Jose Maria Cardenas, Jose Antonio Olvera, Felipe Baloy, Carlos Ochoa and Juan Pablo Rodriguez will all be out for Santos.
Prediction: Cruz Azul, 2-0
Pachuca vs. San Luis, 8 p.m. ET
Pachuca are missing three key elements as they prepare to host San Luis. Midfielders Damian Alvarez (suspension) and Jose Francisco Torres (hamstring) as well as defender Leobardo Lopez (hamstring) are out. Manager Guillermo Rivarola does get Javier Muñoz Mustafa back from injury but the potential holes in the midfield could cause a setback. Pachuca rebounded nicely from a loss at Queretaro to rout Atlante 5-1 in Estadio Hidalgo. San Luis, meanwhile, are inconsistent now as ever. A bad loss to America was followed by a clutch win at Atlante, but Morelia brought los Gladiadores back to Earth a week ago, winning 2-0 in San Luis.
Prediction: Pachuca, 3-1.
Tigres vs. Pumas, 8 p.m. ET
Tigres and Pumas could take over the top spot in group three with a win. Of course only one can win in order for that to happen. Pumas is one of the only undefeated teams in the league but that doesn’t mean they are doing great. Tigres is only one point behind Pumas. Tigres is yet to win at home this season but they will hope to change that come Saturday. Jose Antonio Castro is suspended for Tigres while Fernando Ortiz will not feature due to injury. Pumas is reporting no losses for the match.
Prediction: Pumas, 1-0
Atlante vs. Puebla, 8 p.m. ET
Times have not been great for either of the teams and in the Jornada 4 they will try and revert their luck. Atlante has yet to win a game in the Bicentenario 2010 and holds just one point in the season; last weekend they were humiliated by Pachuca by a score of 5-1. Things haven’t been much better for Puebla; the team has only won one game this season and sits on the table with 3 points and last weekend they gave up the lead to lose to Queretaro 2-1. In the past year Puebla has had the upper hand when facing Atlante by the minimal margin. Luckily for both teams, they will have complete squads going into the encounter.
Prediction: Puebla, 1-0
Atlas vs. America, 9:45 p.m. ET
America can’t seem to avoid tragedy, but have been able to overcome recent troubling times. Without their star striker Salvador Cabañas, America were able to win the game against Indios. Atlas on the other hand seem to be rising, winning the past two of three games. For the clash at the Jalisco Stadium both teams will have to deal with long lists of missing players. Atlas will be missing Mariano Barbosa due to suspension and Eduardo Rergis, Daniel Osorno, Mario Mendez and Romulo Marquez due to injury. America’s list is long as well including Cabañas, Arnhold Rivas, Armando Navarrete and Juan Carlos Silva who was shot in the left gluteus although was not seriously injured. While visiting Atlas at the Jalisco Stadium, America have been unable to win since the Apertura 2006.
Prediction: Draw, 1-1
SUNDAY
Toluca vs. Monterrey, 1 p.m. ET
The defending Mexican champions will pay a visit to Toluca at the “Bombonera” where they have been unable to win since the Clausura 2006. So far in the Bicentenario 2010 Toluca have been unable to win a game and only have two points to show for their efforts; last week the team was held to a 0-0 draw against Pumas. Monterrey have more favorable results claiming two wins and a loss during the season. One win came last weekend after putting in two goals past Cruz Azul. Toluca will have a full team available as they try and win their first game of the season. Severo Meza and Jesus Arellano are doubts for Monterrey because of injury.
Prediction: Monterrey, 1-0
Indios vs. Morelia, 3 p.m. ET
Poor, wretched Indios. Offense is lacking severely in Ciudad Juarez, as Indios have scored exactly zero goals this season. During the Apertura 2009 season, the club managed to put just seven goals past their opposing goalkeepers. Will the club break their streak against Morelia? It will be tough to score on Monarcas, given the Michoacan-based club has been tough defensively now for a few seasons. Morelia are also coming off a shutout road victory.
Prediction: Morelia, 1-0.
Estudiantes vs. Jaguares 5 p.m. ET
The Big Game on Sunday afternoon/evening will surely captivate attention as millions will gather in parties across the nation, sipping beer, munching on chips and dip, chowing down on pizza or wings... except this isn't the Big Game on Sunday afternoon/evening. That Big Game will be played in Miami. This game is filler, in case Super Bowl-watching soccer fans want to have a quick soccer fix before watching the pointy-ball game. Except, they may not get their fix watching these teams. Might be best just to have an extra slice of pizza and a beer instead.
Prediction: 0-0.
For more coverage of the Mexican Primera Division, visit Goal.com's Mexico page.
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