Matchday 17 of the Liga MX Apertura is fast approaching, which means it's crunch time as we find out which teams will make a last-ditched attempt to add their names to the post-season roster and which teams will cruelly miss out.
Not only are there battles to scrap into the top 10, but there are also four teams still in with a chance of claiming the top spot, with the biggest advantage going into the playoffs.
Just to add to the mix, we even have a battle on our hands for the final spot in the top six, to automatically secure a place in the Liguilla, without having to go through the hassle of the play-in.
Who will finish top of the league?
Four teams remain alive in the hunt for the top spot, a position which is currently occupied by Cruz Azul.
Nicolás Larcámon's side have looked formidable all season, suffering only one defeat in that time. Whilst slip-ups against Querétaro and Mazatlán caused concern amongst the Máquina faithful, wins against Toluca, Club América and Monterrey all prove that they are up for the fight when it comes to competing at the top.
One point adrift are a Toluca side that has fallen off the pace, despite becoming the first side to qualify for the Liguilla officially. The Clausura champions continued to flex their muscles with big wins over Chivas, Monterrey and Querétaro. Still, they suffered a major blow on Matchday 15 when star attacker Alexis Vega picked up a hamstring injury, which looks to sideline the 27-year-old for the rest of 2025.
Club América also have a chance of ending the regular season at the top if they can get one over Toluca, who recently defeated them to win the Clausura and the Campéon de Campeones back in July. Level on points with Los Rojos Diablos and a point behind their city-rivals, Las Águilas have looked steady in their efforts to keep up with the league's best, despite being able to beat any of the fellow title contenders, losing to both Tigres and Cruz Azul, before showing fight against Monterrey to score two late goals to salvage a point.
Down in fourth place, Tigres may seem out of the race, but with two points between them at first, Guido Pizarro's men will be feeling quietly confident about their chances. Facing San Luis on the final day, they know that if they can get maximum points at home, there is a serious chance that Cruz Azul will struggle against fellow Mexico City-based Pumas, whilst América and Toluca will come into their clash evenly balanced.
Race for the Liga MX Apertura automatic playoff places
Two teams head into the final day of the regular season with a chance of finishing in the top six, which is the only way of guaranteeing a spot into the postseason.
Right now, Chivas currently occupy that final position. Facing fifth-placed Monterrey on the final weekend, they will have an uphill battle to keep hold of the position, knowing that Juárez could force a final-day shock if they can beat Querétaro on the final day.
Who will take the final play-in position?
As teams positioned seventh to tenth will enter the play-in scenario, it means that five teams are still in the fight to claim the final, tenth position.
Pumas currently take claim of the final position, after their emphatic 4-1 win over Tijuana last weekend, but with a clash against top-of-the-league Cruz Azul, anything less than three points smashes the door wide open to any of the teams looking in.
Within one point of Los Universitarios includes Santos Laguna, Atlas and Querétaro, who know that if they can take advantage of their weekend clashes, they will have a chance of stealing that final play-in spot.
Atlas and Querétaro play on Friday night, with the former facing a Tijuana side already confirmed for the play-in, whilst Los Gallos take on a Juárez side vying for a place in the automatic playoffs.
The other team still in with a chance is Necaxa. Two points behind Pumas, Los Rayaos face Mazatlán on the final weekend, a side that are already out of post-season contention, and will be purely playing for pride.
How do you think the weekend's drama will unfold? Let us know!