Liga MX: Santos Laguna travels to Pachuca aiming for top of the table

Both teams have had their share of impressive performances in Liga MX this season, but Santos Laguna has been far more consistent than Pachuca.

Saturday at 7pm CDT, Santos Laguna will kickoff against Pachuca at Estadio Miguel Hidalgo in Pachuca de Soto, Mexico. Santos occupies the 3rd spot in the Liga MX table currently, while Pachuca is in an immediate fight with six other clubs for spots in Liguilla. With five matches remaining in the Apertura, it’s time for Pachuca to put it all together if they hope to get in and obtain a favorable seeding.

Santos Laguna remains within striking distance of Cruz Azul for the top spot in the table. If Cruz Azul come out of their match against Queretaro with a loss or a draw, a win could see Los Guerreros atop the Liga MX hill. They’ll need to be near top performance against this strong Pachuca club.

Last Match

Santos: W v Atlas 3-1

It didn’t take long for the favorite for player of the season, Julio Furch, to put pressure on the hapless Zorros. Just 18 minutes into the match, Furch put one behind the keeper and forced Atlas to have to do the thing they have struggled with all year: score. Atlas would find their goal in the 50th minute from Omar Gonzalez, but not until Osvaldo Martinez added a tally for Santos in the 48th minute. Jonathan Rodriguez would then celebrate his call-up to the Uruguayan National Team with his 7th Apertura goal in minute 58. Los Guerreros were able to hold on after that to dispose of Atlas 3-1.

Pachuca: L @ Toluca 2-1

After an impressive 3-1 victory over Cruz Azul, Pachuca struggled a bit with Toluca. Alexis Canelo scored just four minutes into the match and Pachuca forward Leonard Ulloa answered in the 10th minute , providing Pachuca with a boost of confidence that they could continue their climb up the table. They received more help from Toluca, when William da Silva was shown red, dropping Los Diablos to 10 men. In the end, Pachuca saw a massive 71% possession but couldn’t generate another goal. Then, five minutes before stoppage time, Luis Quinones broke Tuzo hearts with a goal to send Pachuca home empty-handed.

Predicted Lineups

Santos: 4-4-2

Orozco
Abella – Nervo – Doria – Angulo
Isijara- Martinez- Vazquez – Lozano
Furch – Rodriguez

I wouldn’t expect much change from the line-up that started against Atlas. This seems to be Salvador Reyes’ favored line-up and, being considered the most consistent club in Liga MX this season, it’s hard to argue with him. Having sent four players to their respective national teams over the FIFA break, the familiarity will come in handy to ensure there isn’t a drop-off due to rust.

Pachuca: 5-3-2

Hernandez
Lopez – Pena – Tapias – Murillo – Garcia
Lopez – Hernandez – Aguirre
Guzman – Ulloa

Like Santos, Pachuca saw four players get the call to camps for their national teams. Oscar Murillo, Erick Aguirre and Victor Guzman are likely starters that didn’t get to rest up over the break. That shouldn’t matter much, however, Guzman and Aguirre are young and energetic and vital to Pachuca’s success. Murillo has been one of Los Tuzos’ better centerbacks and so I’d expect to see him, as well. Emmanuel Garcia is a man to watch playing his role on the left side. He’s been excellent for Pachuca and could play a key role in this match.

Key Players

Santos: Julio Furch

Not surprisingly, the best player in Liga MX this season is the key man for Santos in this match. In recent matches Pachuca struggled or drew, it was the front players of their opponents that have provided the goals. Along with Jona Rodriguez, goals are something Furch can certainly provide. The two of them have been the deadliest duo in Liga MX, so if Furch finds the back of the net, Pachuca could find it hard to come away with points.

Pachuca: Emmanuel Garcia

Yes, someone will need to provide the scoring for Los Tuzos, but Garcia has been as steady as they come defensively. If he can continue that form against the best front two in Liga MX, currently, it should provide Pachuca with an opening to win.

Prediction

Something about this matchup, whether it is being on the road or after an international break, makes this feel like a match that Santos will have a hard time getting going. Pachuca have only scored 15 goals on the season but they’ve definitely shown themselves to be capable of a surprising result. So even though this seems like a fairly safe win for Santos, I think Pachuca will do just enough to come away with a point. They’ll be happy with that.

Pachuca 2 – Santos 2

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