6 Bold Predictions for Liga MX Week 8
After a one-week hiatus, due to the FIFA international-fixtures date, the Liga MX's excitement continues with Matchday 8 of the 2014 Apertura.
America and Monterrey have earned 16 points in the tournament, and a good performance this week could mean the solo lead for one of them.
While Las Aguilas and Rayados try their best to defeat Universidad de Guadalajara and Chivas, respectively, Morelia will seek to secure their first victory of the season with the help of their new coach, Jose Cruz.
Pachuca will do their best to defeat Tijuana at the Estadio Hidalgo, and Leon will try to cope with William Yarbrough's absence.
Let's take a look at this week's bold predictions.
Gudalajara Will Grab Their 2nd Successive Victory
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Last weekend Guadalajara grabbed three key points against Leones Negros, in a game that had been pending for a month.
It was their second victory of the tournament after having two draws, to Veracruz and Cruz Azul, and two defeats, vs. Pachuca and Santos.
Carlos Fierro scored a brace against Leones Negros to help Chivas in their way back to the winner's circle, and he will probably continue to make a difference.
Guadalajara have to keep their support to the youngsters, because their hunger can turn around the squad's mindset.
Monterrey will be a tough rival, not only they have the top scorer of the tournament in their ranks—Dorlan Pabon with seven goals to his name— but also have the chance to secure the lead of the 2014 Apertura.
Leon Will Go Back to the Winner's Circle
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Leon has had a tough season so far. They record two victories and five defeats, despite playing with basically the same footballers with which they won the 2014 Clausura title.
Their next match won't be an easy one. In the past 14 games held at Estadio Corona (2014 Clausura and 2014 Apertura), Santos Laguna have only lost three times.
If this scenario doesn't seem troublesome enough, Los Panzas Verdes won't have William Yarbrough in the goal due to a fracture in the ring finger, which will sideline him for a month, per Goal.com (in Spanish).
The last time Los Guerreros overpowered Leon on home soil was in the 2013 Clausura.
Universidad De Guadalajara Will Defeat America
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America are set to visit Universidad de Guadalajara at the Estadio Jalisco.
Las Aguilas have 16 points after seven weeks, and lead the general table due to their goal difference (plus-eight).
Antonio Mohamed's side has proven to be lethal through the flanks, with a strong midfield and organized defensive line.
However, Leones Negros come from a tough loss to Guadalajara, not only they lost the chance to add points to their tally, but are also penultimate of the table and closer to relegation than any other club.
Fidel Martinez has been a thriving force for the Leones Negros, and this week won't be different.
Pachuca Will Lose on Home Soil
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Pachuca have had a shaky 2014 Apertura; so far, they have four victories and three defeats.
Their next rival is Tijuana, a club that has only won once and has recently appointed Daniel Guzman as the new coach.
Guzman is known for being some sort of savior, as he has helped several clubs to avoid relegation, such as Veracruz, Tecos (UdeG) and Atlas.
He now has another opportunity to make a difference and the first step is defeating Los Tuzos at Estadio Hidalgo, where Xolos have never won.
Morelia Will Secure 3 Points
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There's one team that has yet to win in the 2014 Apertura: Morelia.
Until Matchday 7, Angel David Comizzo had been in charge of the team, but a 0-2-5 record was enough for the board of directors to decide to finally sack him.
Now, under Jose Cruz's command, Monarcas have the chance to surprise Chiapas at the Estadio Victor Manuel Reyna.
Jaguares have won two of the three games disputed on home soil, plus they currently sit sixth in the general table, while Morelia are last.
However, Cruz's arrival will be a confidence booster for Morelia.
Veracruz Will Stun Atlas
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Veracruz are still struggling to leave behind the relegation zone. So far, they are only ahead of Universidad de Guadalajara and Puebla, and not by much.
Tiburones Rojos have to take advantage of playing on home soil, where they have secured their only victory of the tournament, against Guadalajara.
History tells us that the last time Veracruz surpassed Los Zorros was in the 2007 Apertura, while playing at the Estadio Luis Pirata Fuente.
On the other hand, Atlas have shown a lot of structure in every line. Their mentality has been fundamental to claim the third place of the general table, with 14 points.
All stats appear courtesy of ESPN FC, unless otherwise noticed.
