Unbeaten in their last four matches, Lobos face their biggest test since their last loss in the steady Tigres.
Tigres have been sitting in the 7th spot of the Liga MX table since the beginning of the Apertura, it seems. Andre-Pierre Gignac has kept his spot among the league leaders in goals scored with 10 goals in 12 appearances, but the Monterrey club has lacked the convincing win that many expect. Meanwhile, Lobos BUAP has strung together a respectable eight points in four matches, pulling them out of the Liga MX basement and into the mix for as high as 14th if everything breaks their way this week.
The match gets underway at 7 pm CDT in Monterrey, Mexico in the Estadio Universitario.
Last match
Lobos: D v Chivas Guadalajara 1-1
Despite ceding 70% possession to Chivas, Lobos were able to sneak out a draw and move their unbeaten streak to four matches. Leonardo Ramos kicked off the scoring with an earlier goal in the 12th minute of the match, then Lobos let Chivas keep the ball. Guadalajara would break through in the 52nd minute with a goal from Hedgardo Marin, but that was all they were able to muster. Lobos is getting points in an ugly fashion, but they are getting points, and their fans will take that at this point, I’m sure.
Tigres: D @ Pumas UNAM
Another chance for Tigres to shake off the haters and come away with a statement win was met with more disappointment. Pumas struck first with a Carlos Gonzalez goal in the 7th minute of the match. Tigres would answer with goals from Eduardo Vargas in the 23rd and Rafael Duran in the 32nd. Just before the half, however, Carlos Gonzalez would make it a brace and knot the match at two goals a piece heading into the locker room. Tigres would receive their orders, make their adjustments and Andre-Pierre Gignac retook the lead for UANL in the 47th minute, making the score 3-2. TIgres couldn’t stop Gonzalez, however. He made took his brace and made it into a hat trick with a goal in the 62nd minute. Pumas would hold on to earn a draw, while Tigres were left regretting their missed opportunities, once again.
Possible line-ups
Lobos: 4-4-2
Rodriguez
Olascoaga – Orozco – Maza – Cruz
Chrinos – Sierra – Gonzalez – Lainez
Ramos – Rabello
Francisco Palencia has figured out something to get Lobos to look less like a bottom of the table squad and more like the Pueblas, Leons, and Necaxas. It’s a small change of scenery but definitely a welcome one. Leonardo Javier Ramos has been excellent for Lobos, scoring 6 goals since making his first appearance for the club just 5 matches ago. Interestingly enough, his first appearance was Lobos’ last loss. You’d guess they’d hunker down and play for counter attacks in this one. On the road and without much of a real chance for Liguilla, a point on the road would be a phenomenal result.
Tigres: 4-4-2
Guzmán
Rodriguez – Ayala – Juninho – Duenas
Pizarro – Carioca
Duran – Vargas – Aquino
Gignac
While it’s not going to be the statement game we might want, Tigres will still need to put together a good match against a team they are supposed to beat. The same lineup that took on Pumas should get the job done. Lobos aren’t near the offensive side Pumas is. Carlos Gonzalez isn’t walking through that door.
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Key players
Lobos: Leonardo Javier Ramos. As noted, Lobos’ better form has coincided with Ramos’ play in the last 5 matches. I would suspect that any offense Lobos tries to generate on Saturday will have to come from the Argentinian.
Tigres: Rafael Duran. Duran has seen just 69 total minutes with the Tigres first team this season, but he found his first goal last week against Pumas. Against Lobos, I suspect he’ll have the chance to repeat the performance. If the 21-year-old can be the spark for Tigres, it will certainly be welcome.
Prediction
I want to pick Lobos. It’s just really difficult to see how they do it. They conceded 70% possession to Chivas and came away with a draw, but that’s not a recipe for success. Tigres will dominate the ball, meaning Lobos will struggle. The unbeaten streak comes to an end.
It was a good run.