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Tijuana, Puebla battle for final invitation to the Liguilla

By Jahir M. Martinez

TIJUANA, MEXICO - JANUARY 26: Martin Lucero of Tijuana kicks and scores the first goal of his team as Moisés Muñoz goalkeeper of Puebla attempts to cath the ball during the 4th round match between Tijuana and Puebla as part of the Torneo Clausura 2018 Liga MX at Caliente Stadium on January 26, 2018 in Tijuana, Mexico. (Photo by David Garrido/Getty Images)
TIJUANA, MEXICO - JANUARY 26: Martin Lucero of Tijuana kicks and scores the first goal of his team as Moisés Muñoz goalkeeper of Puebla attempts to cath the ball during the 4th round match between Tijuana and Puebla as part of the Torneo Clausura 2018 Liga MX at Caliente Stadium on January 26, 2018 in Tijuana, Mexico. (Photo by David Garrido/Getty Images) /
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Tijuana hosts Puebla in the best game of the weekend as the final playoff berth will go to one of these two teams.

The final weekend of the Clausura 2019 offers plenty of drama for a number of teams, but for Tijuana and Puebla it is a do-or-die night at the Estadio Caliente. Either the Xolos or the Camoteros will claim the final ticket to the Liguilla with Tijuana enjoying a slight advantage. Not only are they playing at home, but they only need a tie to qualify for the postseason. Puebla has no choice but to defeat the Xolos if they want to keep playing.

Club Tijuana has had a crazy season in the first year of the Oscar Pareja era. The Xolos are 8-1-7 and are coming off a positive 4-1 win against Morelia last weekend. With good production from Argentinian forward Gustavo Bou (two goals and an assist), the Xolos climbed past Puebla into the eight spot. The Camoteros managed only a 1-1 draw at home against the Tigres. Although that is a commendable outcome, it allowed Tijuana to slip past them. Bou leads the Xolos with 7 goals on the season and he must find a way to inspire his mates to success.

So now Puebla (24 points) must win or go home; there is nothing else if they want to be in the playoff party because the Xolos have 25 points. But if you want to consider the positives for Puebla, there are some. In their last seven road games, Puebla has won four times, losing only to America (1-0) and at Toluca (2-0). Puebla forward Lucas Cavallini must step up and be the factor for Puebla, and if he finds his scoring touch he might be able to lead the Camoteros to the victory they need.

Prediction

This game is surely going to live up to the hype and drama of a playoff game and that is what it truly is. I think it could be a high scoring game and I hope that whatever the outcome, it will be due to the performances of the players and not because of bad calls from the referees. Both teams have very similar stats and both are deserving of being the 8th team in the Liguilla, but I’m going to favor Puebla, because of their momentum in recent weeks.

Tijuana 2, Puebla 3

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