Liga MX: VLMX Power Rankings

The playoff race is heating up in Liga MX. Things are getting crowded around the last few Liguilla spots.

There seem to be clearly defined tiers forming in our rankings. The top four teams seem to be jostling for position, with teams five through ten shuffling around week-to-week. The bottom seven may shift a bit from here on out, but, for the most part, we know who we like and who we think needs to just move on to the Clausura. Liga MX has been so good this season, that it took us until three matches remained to feel comfortable with what we’re seeing.

A story that is getting some play, but not enough, is that of Lobos BUAP riding a five game unbeaten streak. The draw against Tigres last week was a big deal, and Leo Ramos is absolutely on fire since his first appearance with the club. Can he help Lobos climb the VLMX Power Rankings while they do the same in the Liga MX table?

They top of the table and the bottom of the Liguilla spots are hotly contested and could look a lot different after the last three matches. Buckle up!

The Rankings

Tier 1:

1. Club America (+0)
Some might have wanted to see a better result against Cruz Azul to justify their standing in the table, but a draw against the former top-team while not playing all that well says something about how dangerous this club is. They have two tough match-ups ahead with Toluca and Santos Laguna, but they get to end the season against Veracruz, which is nice.

2. Santos Laguna (+0)
Santos scored early against Monterrey and never looked back. There were a lot of heads knocking together in the match though, which makes me think health will need to be a major priority for Los Guerreros going forward. They have Queretaro, Club America, and Pumas left to play, which should definitely prepare them for Liguilla.

3. Pumas (+0)
Only managed 1 goal against Xolos on the road, but a win keeps them just 2 points back from top of the table! Seem like the real deal to me.

4. Cruz Azul (+0)
They’ll be happy to come away with a draw against Club America on short rest. They travel to Pumas next week, which should go a long way to determining their Liguilla seeding. First, they’ll try to win Copa MX on Wednesday.

Tier 2:

5. Toluca ( +2)
Los Diablos put a 4 goal hurting on one of the better defending teams in Queretaro. They’ll need the confidence to take on Club America at the Azteca this weekend.

6. Pachuca (+2)
Made it a bit more interesting against Veracruz than you’d like. They were up 3-0 fairly quickly though and just relaxed too early. They’re barely outside the Liguilla spots, and it’d be a shame if they miss out.

7. Monterrey (-1)
Felt lucky to have only lost 1-0 to Santos. They can focus on their midweek Copa MX final against Cruz Azul, however. They should make Liguilla, with matches against Veracruz, Necaxa, and Atlas all they have left.

8. Tigres (-3)
I thought there was no way they would falter against Lobos at home. They did. All the questions we’ve had about them being able to flip the switch and be Liguilla contenders are back on the table. They have matches against Monarcas, Puebla, and Chivas to turn it around.

9. Monarcas (+1)
They’re back in a Liguilla spot with a good win on the road against Chivas. With Tigres and Cruz Azul among their final three matches, they are finding their form at the right time.

10. Queretaro (-1)
Ouch. The Liguilla hopes took a little beating against Toluca. They are still very much alive, but they have to get past Santos Laguna before their road gets any easier.

Tier 3:

11. Chivas (+0)
Still alive, but not much confidence in this team. They haven’t won since September.

12. Leon (+0)
Disappointing showing from Leon in contrast to an excellent one from Puebla. The VLMX rankers weren’t moved too much by the performance, however. They remain in the same spot they were last week.

13. Puebla (+0)
Where did that come from? 20% of their total goals in this Apertura came in the last match against Leon. There is a good case for ranking them higher, but our panel is not totally convinced, it would seem.

14. Club Tijuana (+0)
Held up well against Pumas’ offense. That’s little consolation to slipping further down the Liga MX table, however.

More from Viva Liga MX

15. Lobos (+0)
There are four teams in Liga MX that can say they are unbeaten in their last 5 matches. America, Santos, Pumas, and Lobos BUAP. Leonardo Javier Ramos is 4th in Liga MX with 7 goals. He’s played just 6 matches! Lobos takes on Xolos this week with a chance to continue their climb in the table. Theoretically, they could be as high as 12th by this time next week.

16. Atlas (+0)
A 2-2 draw against Necaxa see them draw even with Tijuana in goals. They have an opportunity to pass Xolos and get out of the basement in goals scored next week.

17. Necaxa (+0)
Spiraling. What looked like such a promising season has gone bad very quickly. This team beat Cruz Azul and America. Their only other win has been against Lobos BUAP

18. Veracruz (+0)
Hello darkness my old friend…
Two wins, two managers gone. Sad times in Veracruz.