Liga MX Table Week 14: Analyzing Standings During Final Stages of 2014 Clausura

Pos.	Club	P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Cruz Azul	13	9	2	2	11	29
2	Toluca	13	9	1	3	13	28
3	Santos Laguna	13	5	5	3	4	20
4	America	13	6	2	5	4	20
5	Pachuca	13	6	2	5	4	20
6	UNAM	13	5	3	5	5	18
7	Atlante	13	5	3	5	-5	18
8	Atlas	13	4	5	4	0	17
9	Tijuana	13	5	2	6	-3	17
10	Guadalajara	13	4	5	4	-5	17
11	Club Leon	13	4	4	5	3	16
12	Morelia	13	4	4	5	-1	16
13	Chiapas	13	4	4	5	-3	16
14	Queretaro	13	5	1	7	-4	16
15	Monterrey	13	4	3	6	-4	15
16	UANL	13	3	5	5	-4	14
17	Veracruz	13	3	4	6	-8	13
18	Puebla	13	2	5	6	-7	11

Along with a battle for the top spot, the race is heating up to determine the eight clubs that will qualify for the 2014 Liga MX Clausura Liguilla.

For those who are unaware, Mexico's Liga MX season is broken up into the Apertura (opening) and Clausura (closing). The top eight clubs in each of the separate campaigns enter into an Apertura or Clausura Liguilla to determine that tournament's champion.

Only five points separate the third-placed club from the 15th-placed side, so once you look past Cruz Azul and Toluca in the top two, the field is wide open to get into the next round.

Each of the final four matches in the campaign has an added significance for the clubs involved. Dropped points could mean the difference between a top-eight finish or sitting at home for the Clausura Liguilla.

Christian Palma

Matches to Watch

America vs. Cruz Azul

At this point in the season, Cruz Azul can pretty much head into cruise control. They remain a point ahead of Toluca, and with a 12-point gap between themselves and eighth place, they're a lock for the Liguilla.

However, this match is different in that the stakes are raised by virtue of their opponents.

Cruz Azul make the short trip over to the Estadio Azteca to take on cross-town rivals Club America.

America have never really recovered from the departure of Miguel Herrera, so this would be a great chance for Antonio Mohamed to regain some of the supporters' faith.

Looking at the table, America also aren't on the most solid of footing. A couple of bad results, and they're on the outside looking in.

Tijuana vs. Toluca

Refugio Ruiz

There is no more Jekyll and Hyde team in the Clausura than Tijuana. Xolos have yet to win a game away from home (0-2-5), but inside the Estadio Caliente, their lone blemish is a 3-0 loss to Chiapas, and they've won their other five matches.

They'll hope to continue that strong form against Toluca, who are second in the table and fresh off a road victory against Alajuelense in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Getting even a point here would be critical for Xolos, as they're smack dab in the middle of the fight for eighth. With a win, they'd get one step closer to locking up a playoff spot.

Pachuca vs. Guadalajara

It may seem hyperbole, but nearly every point is critical for Guadalajara at this stage.

Rather than a year-to-year relegation race that you see in the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, etc., Liga MX is built like the Argentina Primera Division in that relegation is determined on average points per game over the last six tournaments.

The club can feel safe for the moment, but it shouldn't get too comfortable. A string of bad results and it's right back into the relegation scrap.

ESPN FC's Tom Marshall speculated that Chivas have a lot of time to turn things around before the end of the 2015 Clausura, but they're on shaky footing.

To his credit, Chivas owner Jorge Vergara said the club would get relegated "over my dead body."

He also told ESPN Deportes, "We have visualized what we have to do and we haven't contemplated going down."

David Faitelson wrote on ESPN FC that Chivas are so engrained in Mexican football culture that having them go down would be a sporting tragedy:

"

Chivas are not just a team of eleven players who sometimes seem to be shaking at the knees, or just a team with a hesitant trainer and an impatient owner, Chivas are also a symbol of our culture and our traditions. Chivas are more than just soccer. But all that seems to matter little or nothing to the Mexican soccer team owners.

"

Faitelson also made the point that the revenue from Guadalajara's television coverage and the popularity of the Clasico between Chivas and America make the club a vital piece of Liga MX economically.

Chivas aren't under threat to go down in 2014, but in a year's time, given their recent performances, it's a possibility that can't be dismissed.

Just look at River Plate's relegation in 2011 as evidence that the football gods often punish those who display the most hubris.

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