After an exciting weekend of matches in Liga MX, we get treated to the next round of games just two days later. We’ll tell you what is going to happen beforehand, though.
Garett Kerber
It’s a good thing I didn’t formally make any Liga MX picks last weekend, I might have actually been over .500! That’s how this goes, though. Like dunking a basketball in high school, but having no one around to see it, I’m left hoping someone will trust me when I say I threw that thing down hard! I do have the receipt for at least one match, at least:
Today I get back in the game and try to carry my unknown success from last week into this set of mid-week matches. Godspeed.
Pumas UNAM – Queretaro
Los Gallos Blancos are my newest darling team. After watching their performance against my Aguilas, I’m left with the impression that they’re one of the more under-rated, or at least under-appreciated, clubs in the league. Pumas finally lost a match, and while they’ve certainly surprised many prognosticators with their success thus far, I still think their overachieving. Pumas 2 – Queretaro 3
Monarcas Morealia – Pachuca
Pachuca finally secured a win but weren’t all that convincing for me against Lobos BUAP. It’s hard to look at a 3-0 score-line and not see “convincing” but Los Tuzos really struggled with Lobos for a good portion of the match. Monarcas, on the other hand, are sitting on 10 points in the table, and are unbeaten in their last four matches. If Leo Ulloa plays, this could be an interesting match to keep an eye on. For prediction purposes, though, I don’t think it will make a difference. Monarcas 2 – Pachuca 1
Puebla – Atlas
I’ll be honest. Right now I would rather watch Lobos play Veracruz than watch this match. Puebla has been bad to okay, but Atlas has just been a wreck. You would think one of these teams has to win but then you remember there are draws in soccer. Atlas will finally get a goal in Liga MX, though, so congrats to the Zorros there. Puebla 1 – Atlas 1
Chivas – Necaxa
Picking up their first win of the season is definitely something to be happy about, but Chivas fans will temper their expectations after it came against a Veracruz side with so many problems. Necaxa battled back from a 2-0 deficit to get a draw with Puebla, but the necessity of a comeback was a bit concerning. Necaxa is tied for worst in Liga MX in goals conceded, with 10. For all the promise they show going forward in attack, they still haven’t found a way to stop their opponents from scoring enough to really push up the table. Chivas have their own struggles at the back, but Necaxa seems ripe for a loss. Chivas 3 – Necaxa 2
More from Viva Liga MX
- Guillermo Ochoa is out 4-6 weeks
- The Clásico Regiomontano is Heating Up
- Pumas: In Search of Regaining a Top Spot
- Why the United States Is Set to Overtake Mexico on the World Stage
- Erick Gutierrez is out once again
Leon – Club America
America did not play particularly well in their last match. Neither did Leon. America was able to come away with a point on the road, at least, while Leon was skunked by a 10-man Cruz Azul team. Cruz Azul is top of the table but you’d think things would have been more difficult for them. All that plays in to the feeling that Mauro Boselli is due to score but America will find its winning ways again. Renato and Uribe will both bag goals for Las Aguilas. Leon 1 – America 2
Cruz Azul – Toluca
Match of the week alert. Toluca struggled to open the Apertura but since losing Rubens Sambueza to injury, they’ve surprisingly turned things around. The main reasons for my picking Cruz Azul is the so-far awful pitch at Estadio Azteca and the fact that Cruz Azul are simply a well-oiled Maquina at the moment. (I’m proud of that one). Cruz Azul 3 – Toluca 1
Lobos BUAP – Monterrey
I know Monterrey, on paper, have another gear. They are 3rd in the table but with only six goals in five matches, they’ve simply underwhelmed. Lobos have only found the back of the net three times, however, so unless Los Rayados really screw something up, or the Lobos howls drive them nuts, this one is in the bag. Lobos 1 – Monterrey 3
Tigres – Veracruz
Nothing like a match against a team that (allegedly) isn’t paying half its players to get the train back on track, huh? Tigres were, quite honestly, embarrassed last week by a Santos side that should be struggling from all the changes they’ve gone through since winning the title. Tuco and his men will be determined to put things right and blow the doors off of Los Tiburones Rojo and their new manager. Tigres 3 – Veracruz 0
Club Tijuana – Santos Laguna
Not everyone is on the Santos bandwagon yet. It’s fine, it takes some people longer than others. They have benefitted from a lighter schedule, for sure, but you can see the potential this team has when you watch them. Julio Furch and Jonathan Rodriguez ran wild over Tigres and as the squad starts to gel together under interim head coach Salvador Reyes, they’ll only improve. Xolos will get a boost from playing at home but unless they suddenly find a reliable scorer, I’m just enough of a believer in Los Guerreros to pick them to win. Xolos 1 – Santos 3