6 Bold Predictions for Liga MX Week 10
The 2014 Apertura may be close to its end, but the games get better week in, week out. Matchday 10 won't be the exception.
Teams like Cruz Azul and Guadalajara, that currently sit 14th and 15th in the general table, still have a chance at qualifying to the Liguilla. But to accomplish the feat they will need to strive for perfection.
Meanwhile, those atop are fighting to improve as much as possible their position. For instance, Atlas is just two points shy from the leader, America, while Monterrey trails by three and still has one game pending.
There are also nice surprises, like Queretaro. Gallos Blancos capitalized on Ronaldinho's arrival almost immediately. He scored in his second appearance with the club.
The bottom of the table is also interesting. Morelia haven't won, but this week they'll face the newest team of the Liga MX, Universidad de Guadalajara.
Let's see which are this week's bold predictions.
Veracruz Will Grab Three Points
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Veracruz have only won once in the 2014 Apertura tournament. They secured three points on home soil when they faced Monterrey in Matchday 4.
So far they have a 1-5-3 record, and are in desperate need to win as soon as possible because they sit 16th in the general table, just ahead of Universidad de Guadalajara and Morelia.
Tiburones Rojos will try to turn things against Tijuana at Estadio Luis "Pirata" Fuente.
These teams have only met twice, with one draw and one victory for Xolos.
Daniel Guzman's side come from a key win against Santos, while Veracruz have lost two of their three previous games.
Ronaldinho Won't Make a Difference vs. Toluca
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Queretaro went back to winning ways last weekend when they defeated 1-4 Guadalajara at Estadio Omnilife.
Ronaldinho was a key piece in the result, not only he scored once, he also assisted Gallos Blancos' second goal.
However, the Brazilian didn't travel with the squad to Monterrey for the Copa MX, where Queretaro lost to UANL in the last match of the group stage, which resulted in their elimination of the tournament.
According to Mexican website MedioTiempo.com (Spanish), the footballer was sidelined due to stomach problems.
Despite it all, Ronaldinho is set to appear against Toluca, a squad that they haven’t beat since 2012.
Santos Laguna vs. America Will End in a Scoreless Draw
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Santos Laguna and America have faced 62 times since 1976.
However, the last time the match ended in a scoreless draw was in the 2003 Apertura tournament, when they meet in Matchday 9 at the Estadio Azteca.
This time Las Aguilas will travel to Territorio Corona, where they will try to continue their winning pace.
Both sides are inside the top 10 of best defenses and offenses of the 2014 Apertura tournament.
America have scored 15 times, while Los Guerreros have put the ball away in 12 opportunities. Meanwhile, Las Aguilas have allowed six goals, and Santos nine.
This will be an epic battle that could very well end with no goals in the score.
Leon Will Win at Estadio Azul After 13 Years
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Leon have had one of the shakiest seasons since they were relegated to the Ascenso MX in the 2002 Verano tournament.
In Matchday 9 they won for the first time in three weeks, which also meant their third victory of the 2014 Apertura.
Now, La Fiera will travel to Mexico City hoping to defeat Cruz Azul for the first time in 13 years. This record includes the Invierno 1997 final, when La Maquina secured their latest Liga MX title.
The home team comes from a painful loss to Atlas at Estadio Jalisco, a venue where they haven't lost since 2008.
Three points on home soil will be a confidence boost for Luis Fernando Tena's side, because even when they sit 14th in the general table, they can still grab a place in the Liguilla.
UANL Will Trash Pachuca
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The last time Tigres trashed Pachuca was in the 2011 Apertura, when they overpowered Los Tuzos 5-0 in Week 8, when the match was held at the Estadio Universitario.
This time, they will play at Estadio Hidalgo, where Pachuca have only lost once this season, and where the last time they couldn't beat UANL was in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Apertura.
So far, Tigres have been erratic and unstable. They win, draw and lose almost at the same ratio; they have a 3-4-2 record in the 2014 Apertura.
Pachuca have only tied one game this season, while they have four victories and four defeats.
In the general table, UANL sit seventh, while Los Tuzos are ninth.
Morelia Will Win After 9 Weeks of Draws and Defeats
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Yes, after 10 weeks there's still one team that hasn't secured a win: Morelia.
Monarcas have a 0-3-6 record and have had two different managers in the 2014 Apertura: Angel David Comizzo and Jose Guadalupe Cruz.
Although they have showed some improvements since Cruz's arrival (in Matchday 8), they take too long to score, and when they finally do, it's too late.
Now they will face Universidad de Guadalajara. The newly promoted squad has already won once, on home soil, where they'll face Morelia.
All stats appear courtesy of ESPN FC, unless otherwise noticed.
