Rayados control own destiny at home vs Atlas
We’ve reached the final weekend of the Apertura 2019 and there is still one vacancy for the big Liga MX postseason party.
Monterrey is currently in 8th place with 7 wins, 3 draws and 7 losses, for a total of 24 points. They face Atlas in a do-or-die match-up. The Rayados win and they’re in; lose or draw and they might start their vacation early.
Monterrey should not have any concerns as they welcome visiting Atlas to the Estadio BBVA Bancomer, as they have gone four games without a loss, three wins (America, Tijuana and Pachuca) and one draw (Veracruz). It will be important for Antonio Mohamed’s team to go out with a big win.
The Apertura 2019 once again has been a disappointment for Atlas. They stand in 13th place with 6 wins, 3 draws and 8 losses, for a total of 21 points. Though they have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the playoffs, it is nearly impossible to reach the Liguilla.
Atlas has not seen a win since Oct. 18, when they defeated Puebla 1-0. Since then, they have lost three games (Necaxa, Pumas and Atletico San Luis ) and could possibly lose once again as the visiting team in Monterrey.
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Their only “motivation” per se would be to beat the Rayados and knock them out of their chances to be part of the Liguilla. Such an even could give their cross-town rivals, the Chivas, an opportunity to enter the playoff race. But that could be a stretch for Atlas as we have seen their inconsistency in the Apertura 2019.
Prediction
By the way things look, Monterrey should have a breeze as they face Atlas at home and even though they are without one of their lethal weapons, Aviles Hurtado due to an injury, the Rayados should not have a problem because their front line is led by Rogelio Funes Mori, Dorlan Pabon and Vincent Janssen.