It is a study of contrasts at the Estadio Azteca on Saturday.
America comes into the match with Lobos BUAP focused on continuing its undefeated run to start the season as it looks to return to the Liguilla.
Lobos BUAP is focused simply on survival with one point so far this season and relegation a looming danger.
| Game | America vs. Lobos BUAP |
| Date | Saturday, Feburary 3 |
| Time | 10 p.m. ET |
| Stream (US only) | fuboTV (7-day free trial) |
LIVE STREAM
Victor CruzNext Match
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SQUADS & TEAM NEWS
| Position | Club America players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Marchesin, Pineda, Jimenez |
| Defenders | Vargas, Alvarez, Aguilera, Valdez, Aguilar, Cedillo |
| Midfielders | Rodriguez, Da Silva, Uribe, Dominguez, Corona, Arce, Orrantia, Ibarguen, Paredes, Ibarra, Lainez |
| Forwards | Romero, Menez, Marin, Diaz, Martin, Peralta, Quintero |
Right back Paul Aguilar is set to return from injury and start at right back over Edson Alvarez, who did not play in Mexico's 1-0 friendly victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina but was in camp most of the week. Henry Martin started that game but is set to go for Las Aguilas as well.
Darwin Quintero and William da Silva will not be in the matchday squad.
Potential starting XI: Marchesin; Aguilar, Valdez, Aguilera, Vargas; Ibarra, Rodriguez, Uribe, Dominguez; Peralta, Martin
| Position | Lobos BUAP players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Alvarez, Villalpando, Canales |
| Defenders | Cercado, Rodriguez, Erpen, Rincon, Olvera, Advincula, Tercero, Escobar, Godinez, Sancho, Zurita |
| Midfielders | Tervino, Sierra, Cortez, Tamay, Marquez, Sanchez, Aquino, Perez, Medina, Olascoaga, Morales, Rodriguez |
| Forwards | Escoto, Jimenez, Avila, Amione, Clemens, Quinones |
Offseason signing Jordan Sierra said this week he's struggled to adapt to the high altitude in Puebla. He came into the team's draw with Pumas last week and may enter as a substitute again this time around rather than going the full 90 minutes.
Potential starting XI: Villalpando; Advincula, Rodriguez, Cercado, Tercero, Olivera; Medina, Cortez, Aquino; Avila, Quinones
GAME PREVIEW
Ronaldo Schemidt
America is only getting stronger this season, or so it seems after a 1-0 win against Atlas last weekend.
That game saw offseason signings Jeremy Menez and Andres Ibarguen come in as substitutes, with Menez making his debut and Colombian winger Ibarguen seeing the field just the second time since joining in January.
Neither player is set to crack Miguel Herrera's starting XI, though. His attack instead has been boosted by forward Henry Martin, who signed from Tijuana during the winter. Martin's two goals early in the tournament earned him a Mexico national team recall, and he started for the national team in a friendly Wednesday against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At the back, Herrera has a wealth of options as well now that Paul Aguilar is back fit. So too is winger Renato Ibarra, who left the match against Atlas last weekend with 12 minutes to go but is fit ahead of Saturday's contest.
It has been a miserable campaign for Lobos BUAP with the team having just one point through four matches.
Last week brought a ray of hope with a draw against league leader Pumas, but the team had to battle for the point as Pumas nearly took all three during a second half where the visiting team was better.
Local press reports this week said the club is reviewing manager's resumes with the intention of replacing Rafael Puente should the rough stretch continue.
The manager could be dreading this weekend, as a trip to the Estadio Azteca is not what a manager need of a win wants to see. America has to be the heavy favorite in this match.
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