Week 10: Familiar faces – Santos, León

Santos outlasted the feisty Tuneros while the Esmeraldas pushed their unbeaten streak to six by winning at top-ranked Necaxa.

There are a bunch of teams playing well right now as evidence by the fact that we have two teams tied for first – Santos Laguna and León – and two tied for fourth – Necaxa and América. had a three-way tie for first place last week.

The way our top six teams have been playing, they would seem to be rather good bets to reach the Liguilla, but a lot could change in the next month, especially as several teams in the middle of the table will have byes in October (the Pumas, Morelia, Monterrey and Necaxa will sit out matchdays).

More from Viva Liga MX

The big risers this week were Monterrey (up 5 spots) and Morelia (up 4), while Atlas fell 5 spots and Tijuana plummeted 7 spots.

There is a bit of a drop-off after Atlético de San Luis at No. 8, but there are a cluster of teams good enough to chase playoff spots down the stretch. And since this coming week features a double matchday, we could see the playoff race shake out a little bit as the calendar turns to October.

Without further ado, here are the Viva Liga MX Power Rankings through 10 games.

1. Santos (–)

Consistent excellence on both sides of the ball. Santos has been at the top of the Liga MX table six out of 10 weeks, tied for the league lead twice and just 1 point out of first the other two times.

León skipper Luis Montes has been a wizard in midfield for the Esmeraldas. (Photo by VICTOR CRUZ/AFP/Getty Images) /

1. León (+3)

The Esmeraldas continue flashing examples of the form they exhibited last season. If they continue to put it together, they should be a repeat finalist.

3. Querétaro (-2)

The Gallos had not played in nearly three weeks, but they held their own against América at Estadio Azteca. These birds are for real!

4. Necaxa (-3)

The Rayos battled back against a tough León team, demonstrating that they do indeed deserve playoff consideration.

América coach Miguel Herrera has watched his team go winless in their past five games. (Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images) /

4. América (+1)

The Aguilas are getting healthy heading into the second half, so watch out. It will be up to coach Miguel Herrera to juggle the line-ups and manage the egos. No easy task.

6. Tigres (–)

Los felinos had a bye and lost a little ground in the Liga MX table, but we are keeping them steady in this spot.

7. Morelia (+4)

Then Monarcas are 4-1-0 since canning Javier Torrente and new coach Pablo Guede is squeezing every ounce of production out of his roster.

8. Atlético San Luis (-1)

Two games into the Gustavo Matosas era, it is evident that these Tuneros could be playing in December. They made top-ranked Santos sweat on Saturday.

9. Monterrey (+5)

The Rayados climbed back into playoff contention, but they sure aren’t convincing their fans who are frustrated by the lackluster season La Pandilla is having.

Franco Jara (center) smiles after converting a penalty kick in minute 9 vs Tijuana. The Tuzos scored twice more before halftime and cruised to victory. (Photo by Jaime Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images) /

10. Pachuca (+1)

The Tuzos had a great first half against Toluca. Now if only coach Martín Palermo could bottle that and sprinkle it on his team more often.

11. Pumas (+2)

Great defense and a sputtering offense make for close games, but it won’t get you very high up the table.

12. Guadalajara (-3)

The Chivas just can’t string two good games together. If this trend holds true, they should be just fine against Pachuca Tuesday, but then don’t bet on them in the Super Clásico.

13. Cruz Azul (+2)

So much talent, so little production. Another late game gaffe (this time by veteran keeper Jesús Corona) cost the Cementeros critical points and they continue to flounder.

14. Atlas (-5)

We knew the Zorros couldn’t stay up with the big boys for too long, but suddenly they can’t find the net and you’re not going to win too many games with 0 goals.

Tijuana has won just once since Matchday 4 and their playoff hopes grow dimmer. (Photo by Jaime Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images) /

15. Tijuana (-7)

In eighth place as recently as Matchday 7, the Xolos have stumbled badly since.

16. FC Juárez (+1)

Does any team get more out of less than the Bravos? Coach Gabriel Caballero designs simple game schemes but his players work their butts off to make sure they work.

17. Toluca (+1)

Coach Ricardo La Volpe gets a reprieve and the Diablos climb one rung on the ladder after breaking a 14-game road winless streak by beating Atlas in Estadio Jalisco.

18. Puebla (-2)

It seems unfair to drop the Camoteros two spots after they fought tooth-and-nail against Monterrey, but they just look like overachievers.

19. Veracruz (–)

This is simply a bad team. Nothing more need be said.

Home/Liga MX

Week 10: Familiar faces – Santos, León – share top spot

By Thomas Buckley | Sep 23, 2019