Clasico Tapatio kick-starts resumption of Liga MX
Guadalajara hosts cross-town rivals Atlas on Saturday night in yet another Tapatio Classic.
There few better ways to come back from a recess than to put two Classics on the schedule. And that is exactly what the Liga MX has provided for its fans
Matchday 9 featured a Friday night triple-header, but the spotlight is reserved for Saturday night when the Clasico Tapatio will be followed by the Clasico Capitalino.
Both games are for more than just the 3 points at stake. Bragging rights are equally as important, and for the Chivas and Atlas that means who claims primacy in the city of Guadalajara.
The Chivas welcome the Zorros to Estadio Akron for the 224th edition of the Clasico Tapatio, the 148th such match during the Liga MX regular season. The Chivas lead overall with 88 wins, 66 draws and 69 losses, and they lead the regular-season tally as well — 54-48-45. Guadalajara won the previous meeting 3-0 as Alexis Vega collected a hat trick.
The home side and their coach, Tomas Boy, will hope the trend continues because coach Boy is under considerable pressure. In fact, if the Chivas fail to win — they are currently on a three-game winless streak — is likely to become the next Liga MX coaching casualty.
El Rebaño Sagrado is coming off a scoreless draw in a Super Clasico friendly that took place in Chicago. The Chivas played with mostly a first-choice line-up while America used mostly academy players. Coach Boy subbed in some youngsters too as he must find out which players might be able to step up through the remainder of the Apertura 2019.
The Chivas are in 15th place in the Liga MX table, four points out of a playoff spot, with 2 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses. Guadalajara is 13th in our Power Rankings.
Atlas, on the other hand, is enjoying a splendid Apertura so far, in 6th place with a 4-1-3 record. The Zorros are in 5th place in our Power Rankings. Team morale should be sky high after shocking visiting America by a 3-0 scoreline in their last Liga MX outing before the FIFA break.
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The Zorros will look to veteran midfielder Osvaldo Martinez to lead the offense, while winger Jesús Isijara is playing well of late. Nineteen-year-old Christopher Trejo had a lively game against the Aguilas and he is a player to keep an eye on.
Goalie Camilo Vargas has been a pleasant surprise in his first season in Liga MX, and the defense has been nicely shored up by the additions of Hugo Nervo and Jesús Angulo (both acquired from Santos Laguna over the summer).
If Atlas follows their victory over America with a win over the Chivas, Liga MX opponents will have to pay attention.
Prediction
The Chivas know that nothing less than a win will suffice, especially at home in front of their fans. This game could be a turning point for the Chivas who need wins to pull away from the relegation zone. It would be perfect timing for striker Oribe Peralta to score his debut goal with the Chivas (he has not scored since Sept. 21, 2018, while still wearing an America jersey). Atlas will not back down easily and if the Zorros play with the same mentality and focus as against America, then the Chivas could have a big problem.