The second-place Gallos Blancos host an underachieving Pachuca side on Saturday.
One of the top priorities for Queretaro heading into the Apertura 2019 season was to avoid relegation. And Victor Manuel Vucetich’s boys are off to a great start.
Through three weeks, the Gallos Blancos are undefeated with two important wins, a 2-0 win at Toluca in their opener, then a surprising 3-0 win over Cruz Azul at the Estadio Corregidora, the site of Saturday’s game against Pachuca.
The club’s 2-1-0 record has them in second place, their 7 points placing them behind only Santos in the standings.
Leading the way for Queretaro is the youngest captain in the Liga MX, defender Luis Romo, 24. The Sinaloa native has proven to be a multi-purpose player, and he moved forward effectively with the ball to score twice last week against Cruz Azul.
Despite the wonderful start (6 goals for, 1 goal against) critics abound and they question if Queretaro will be able to maintain its current pace?
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Pachuca has started the Apertura 2019 on very shaky ground, stuck in 17th place with a 0-1-2 record. Tuzos management reacted by bringing in savvy midfielder Rubens Sambueza from Leon in hopes of turning around their season before it is too late.
Last season, Pachuca was the best home team in Liga MX, but both their losses thus far came at Estadio Hidalgo. To make matters worse, they did not win a single road game during the Clausura 2019, so that must change for them this season.
Another loss for the Tuzos could put find coach Martin Palermo on a very hot seat
Prediction
I don’t see Queretaro’s early season momentum slowing down, especially playing at home. No doubt, the Gallos Blancos will be determined to show their fans that last week’s win over Cruz Azul was not a fluke. Facing a weak and reeling Pachuca side, Queretaro should grab their third win of the Apertura 2019.