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Matchday 9: Monterrey faces big test at Guadalajara

By Dan Chapman

MONTERREY, MEXICO - SEPTEMBER 15: Rodolfo Pizarro of Monterrey fights for the ball with Hedgardo Marin of Chivas during the 9th round match between Monterrey and Chivas as part of the Torneo Apertura 2018 Liga MX at BBVA Bancomer Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images)
MONTERREY, MEXICO - SEPTEMBER 15: Rodolfo Pizarro of Monterrey fights for the ball with Hedgardo Marin of Chivas during the 9th round match between Monterrey and Chivas as part of the Torneo Apertura 2018 Liga MX at BBVA Bancomer Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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After a disappointing draw against Puebla last weekend, Los Rayados will be determined to return to the win column against the Chivas.

Last weekend’s draw was a disappointing result for Monterrey and it allowed their bitter rivals, the Tigres, to skip over them into the league lead. The Rayados – the league’s lone remaining undefeated team – desperately want to get back to their winning ways.

Visiting the Chivas will not be a straightforward affair since the Chivas have shown a steady, defiant streak in the Clausura so far, despite last week’s loss at Pachuca.

Both teams will be eager to get back to winning ways in then league (Monterrey won midweek against Alianza in the Concacaf Champions League, while the Chivas defeated Atlético San Luis in a Copa MX match. Chasing a win will add that much more intensity, which in turn should make the game more entertaining, especially for neutral fans.

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Last Match

Monterrey 0, Puebla 0

A disappointing result for the league leaders who would have been fairly confident of getting 3 points. The real disappointment, however, is that they failed to score. In fact, the Rayados only got two shots on goal. League-leading scorer Rogelio Funes Mori was given the day off to rest, while new signing Maxi Meza and his mates up front imitated The Gang that Couldn’t Shoot Straight. Monterrey did show a rare defiant streak on defense and were able to make sure they did not lose the game.

Pachuca 3, Chivas 1

Despite going 1 down on the quarter-hour, Isaac Brizuela quickly equalized 4 minutes later. The game was an entertaining back-and-forth affair until Team Mexico midfielder Victor Guzman scored against his old club just after halftime. Pachuca clamped down on defense and the Chivas couldn’t find an answer. Leo Ullua got the clincher in minute 79.

Key Players

Monterrey: Midfielder Maxi Meza has to rediscover his playmaking touch and this could help his team find room in attack. A fit Funes Mori should pose challenges for the Chivas defense. The Rayados’ Mexican contingent, led by ex Chivas man Rodolfo Pizarro, could haunt the home side, too.

Chivas: Winger Isaac Brizeula has been the talisman for Chivas this Clausura, Having developed a solid relationship with Alan Pulido and new kid Alexis Vega, the Chivas’ strike force could pose real problems for Monterrey’s occasionally shaky defense. Vega in particular will be hungry to add more goals to his tally after his blockbuster hat trick against Guadalajara rivals Atlas two weeks ago.

Prediction

On paper, this looks to be a very entertaining game promising end-to-end action. Both teams suffer from shaky defending at times and both teams have talented forwards, so a scoreless draw is unlikely.

Monterrey is fighting to reclaim the league lead, whereas the Chivas will be looking to shake off last week’s loss and lay down a marker that things are moving in a positive direction.

There will be goals, that’s for sure, and it could go either way. I think home field advantage will be key for the Chivas.

Chivas 3, Monterrey 2

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