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Liga MX: Club Tijuana host Pumas in must win game

By Tom Freeman-Eves

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 20: Players of Tijuana reacts during the 13th round match between America and Tijuana as part of the Torneo Apertura 2018 Liga MX at Azteca Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 20: Players of Tijuana reacts during the 13th round match between America and Tijuana as part of the Torneo Apertura 2018 Liga MX at Azteca Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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Match day 14 will see Club Tijuana play host to Pumas UNAM in a game with significant consequences for both sides should they be able to take all three points.

Club Tijuana will hope to come back from a humbling experience at the Estadio Azteca which saw them concede three goals without reply away to Club América. This time around, Tijuana’s fortress Estadio Caliente will be the setting as they’ll look to extend their season-long unbeaten home run.

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The Xolos will face a stern test as they match up against a Pumas team who have once again found their scoring form netting seven goals in their last three games. In stark contrast, the home side have only managed one.

The two sides go in to round 14 at polar opposites of the table as Pumas (4th) look to secure their spot in La Liguilla and Tijuana (13th) are scrambling to stay even within touching distance of the playoffs. Even with a win it’s unlikely that Xolos could rise any higher than 11th whereas if Pumas take home all three points they’re all but guaranteed a playoff spot.

We expect both Pumas and Xolos to line up in their customary 4-4-2 with dangermen Felipe Mora and Carlos Gonzalez leading the line for the visitors. The Xolos backline will be working overtime to try to contain the duo as they’ve both scored six times each already this season, including a hat trick for Gonzalez in the last game against Tigres.

However, despite being prolific going forwards, Pumas have been leaky at the back and have allowed six goals in their last three games which could be the perfect remedy for Xolos’ goal draught in recent weeks. This mismatch makes for an exciting contest which is difficult to call either way, I’d be surprised to see Xolos keep a clean sheet but I think with their backs up against the wall, the border team will come out on top. I’m predicting Club Tijuana 2 – 1 Pumas UNAM.

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