The Super Clasico between Chivas and America will dominate discussion this weekend but there are plenty of intriguing Liga MX matchups on the docket. We have a look.
Atlas well on way to dubious points record
Atlas is one of the talking points in Liga MX right now but for all the wrong reasons as the Guadalajara side takes on Toluca in Estadio Jalisco on Friday night.
Los Rojinegros have already broken the record for minutes without a goal at the start of a tournament. They’ve also gone the most minutes in total without scoring since the short tournament format in Liga MX began in 1996 and have fewer points (two) after 10 games than any other team over that time.
Recently appointed coach Guillermo Hoyos has been talking positively this week about the challenge of lifting the team but the press around Atlas right now centers on whether new records are going to be smashed.
The record for fewest points ever in a short season belongs to Juarez, who managed six point in the 2009 Clausura tournament, and Atlas are on course to break it. Friday’s opponent, Toluca, doesn’t offer much hope of snapping the club’s recent trend. Last season’s finalist is flying high in third place and only Club America has scored more goals.
That said, Atlas have had some bad luck in quite a few games, at least according to the stats. Despite only scoring once over 900 minutes of football in the Apertura, only Necaxa has had more shots than Atlas: the problem is that two-thirds of Atlas’ attempts have come from outside the box. Los Rojinegros also sit 10th in the table in terms of expected goals.
Is Friday the night that fortune favors Atlas and they finally win this Apertura? It’s unlikely given Toluca’s strength but it should be well worth the watch. — Tom Marshall
Can Pumas step it up at home against Puebla?
Despite the fact Pumas charge into the weekend with a four-game undefeated streak and a spot in fourth place, this team has looked surprisingly questionable at home.
Pumas has won just two of their four matches at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario, and neither of the two was a walk in the park. In July, Pumas won a remarkable eight-goal shootout against Necaxa 5-3. A little less than two months later, the Mexico City team collected a similar result, a lively 4-2 win against Lobos BUAP.
As for their other matches at home, a 0-0 draw against Pachuca and a 1-0 loss to Queretaro have done little to help their points tally. In fact, part of Pumas’ success can be attributed to their impressive away form: they’ve allowed only four goals in six games outside of the Estadio Olimpico Universitario.
So here’s the big question: Can Puebla capitalize on Pumas’ home fragility? Although some would note that Los Camoteros aren’t the most dangerous attacking team, the same could have been said of the Lobos BUAP side that scored twice against Pumas earlier this month.
Even if Pumas do win, it might be through another high-scoring game. — Cesar Hernandez
With El Tri talk behind him, Tuca can focus on Tigres
Can we finally call it? Tuca Ferretti has backed out of the permanent El Tri job for the umpteenth time. He can finally go back to making history in Monterrey with his longevity, title-getting as well as getting into minor traffic incidents involving his Ferrari.
The renewed focus should serve to calm his beleaguered team, which has been mediocre since Ferretti took on a new interim spell with Mexico in addition to his club duties.
After an emotional week following the Clasico Regio and the violence between Tigres and Rayados fans, Ferretti’s squad will visit Queretaro in what aims to be an entertaining match between two teams who monopolize possession.
Although Los Gallos have been not too effective in front of goal this season, the match pits two strong attacking units against each other in front of two of the league’s beat goalkeepers: Nahuel Guzman and Tiago Volpi.
Sure, all eyes will rightly be on the America-Chivas showdown, but this might be a more entertaining match on the whole. — Eric Gomez