Liga MX: VLMX Power Rankings

There are just four matchdays left in the 2018 Liga MX Apertura and there is a clear upper tier of teams.

The season is winding down and the Liguilla is starting to take shape. Liga MX has given us an excellent Apertura in 2018, with every team still mathematically in the running for a spot. It’s clear, however, that a few clubs have no chance, even if they haven’t been mathematically eliminated yet. Atlas, Necaxa, and Veracruz have proven themselves to be too weak to make up the gap.

Yet, if we’ve overused any phrase over the course of the season, it’s that Liga MX is incredibly unpredictable!

The Rankings

1. Club America (+2)
Luis Ramos (LR): Now will the real number 1 please stand up? It was only a matter of time until America took over the power rankings and the Liga MX table.
Tom Buckley (TB): Despite a 50% effort, the Aguilas cruised to victory over Tijuana.
Garett Kerber (GK): Finally starting to look like a convincing favorite is emerging in the form of Club America. Club Tijuana isn’t a juggernaut by any means, but a convincing win against a team still in the Liguilla hunt, and a defensive one, at that, is very encouraging.

2. Santos Laguna (+0)
GK: We’re actually in danger of underestimating the defending champs. They’ve stuck around the top and Julio Furch is the player of the year so far, for me. Yet every win or draw is met with a yawn from many.
LR: Santos is that fly that wont go away and now they’ve managed to remain in the top spots consistently throughout the season.
TB: Potent offense and a scrappy defense. Good combination to have.

3. Pumas (+1)
LR: Pumas is catching fire and hungry for more.
TB: This offense is just too good to ignore. Captain Barrera a real spark plug.

4. Cruz Azul (-3)
TB: Have lost 3 of 5 and can’t score on the road as offense looks stagnant.
LR: Cruz Azul is being Cruz Azul again and find themselves collapsing right when the last couple of weeks of the season is about to start.

5. Tigres (+0)
TB: Still have issues on the back-end but they are slowly getting healthy.
GK: Until they prove otherwise, just sticking around in a Liguilla spot is good enough. Players like Gignac keep them dangerous.
LR: Tigres coming alive at the right time as they continue to get healthy.

6. Monterrey (+1)
GK: Much like Tigres, it’s hard to count out such a talented roster in Liguilla.
TB: Coach Diego Alonso just keeps finding the right alignment to plug injury gaps.

7. Toluca ( -1)
TB: Just can’t trust a team that is so undisciplined. Red cards in 3 straight games.
GK: Like Tom said, they’re just too undisciplined to trust. When they have it all together, they’re one of the best in Liga MX, but as things stand: Buyer beware.

8. Pachuca (+0)
TB: This team is getting it together at the right time. Now they need to learn how to close games.
GK: Almost added another fine feather to their cap with a win over Santos Laguna, but couldn’t quite keep Furch and Los Guerreros off the score sheet. It will be a shame if they don’t make the playoffs.

9. Queretaro (+1)
TB: The Gallos Blancos are very opportunistic.
GK: After holding Cruz Azul to 0 goals, they struck twice in succession to take down the top-place team. If they could find some consistent scoring, they have a nice defense to make noise in Liguilla. Got to do better on the offensive end to ensure they make it, though.

10. Monarcas (+2)
TB: Have the early-season Monarcas returned? If so, watch out.
GK: After losing to Lobos, Monarcas looked dead in the water. Now they’ve climbed back into contention and could be finding the form that made them dangerous to begin this Apertura.

11. Chivas (-2)
GK: I actually rated Chivas higher than the others. They’ll continue to have frustrating results, but I still think they’re better than the rest of the field.
TB: The loss of Pérez leaves a huge hole in midfield and Pineda still not fully fit.

12. Leon (+1)
TB: Still mathematically alive, but must show consistency.
GK: It’s kind of hard to believe, but Leon still has a decent shot at Liguilla, just 3 points off Tigres in 7th!

13. Puebla (+1)
TB: Last gasp for Camoteros at Léon next weekend.
GK: Still technically in the hunt, but, with a -6 goal differential, it’s highly unlikely.

14. Club Tijuana (-3)
GK: The only team with less goals on the year is Atlas, who went the first half of the year without a single marker.
TB: Only 10 goals in 13 games. Just not going to win without putting the ball in the net.

More from Viva Liga MX

15. Lobos (+1)
TB: The upstart Lobos have a 4-game unbeaten streak, but Tigres are next.
GK: 4 games unbeaten! May be watching them save themselves from relegation in the process and, personally, I’m excited to see it happen.

16. Atlas (+2)
LR: Atlas trying to find the late spark to carry throughout the end of the season.
GK: It will be interesting to see how far Atlas can climb after such a historically bad start. Getting out off the basement of the VLMX power rankings is a start!

17. Necaxa (-2)
LR: Only good thing for Necaxa was beating America.
TB: The Rayos’ lack of effort got the coach fired.
GK: They gave up on Michel too soon, in my opinion, or maybe too late. If they felt they should contend for a Liguilla spot, it’s too late now. And to give up now, especially given Michel’s trying to change the mindset of the squad, is confusing. If that was confusing to read, good.

18. Veracruz (-1)
LR: Veracruz really doesn’t deserve to be with the top dogs anymore.
TB: The Tiburones defense just can’t stop the bleeding. Four goals to Atlas!