5 Key Battles for Liga MX Week 12

The Liga MX is getting ready for its second matchday of the week. From Tuesday to Thursday the clubs played Matchday 11, while from Friday to Sunday they'll compete in the 12th.

Fatigue could be an issue for some sides, especially for those that are still alive in the Copa MX and the CONCACAF Champions League.

But there's no time to waste, especially since the tournament is closer to an end and every club is hoping to secure a place in the Liguilla.

The footballers know they have to put all their effort and pour their hearts on the pitch to help their teams accomplish the feat.

Let's take a look at the key battles of the upcoming week.

Rogelio Chavez (Cruz Azul) vs. Miguel Layun (America)

Christian Palma/Associated Press

Miguel Layun is currently America's top scorer. The left-back has put the ball away six times during the 2014 Apertura.

He has established himself as one of the cornerstones of the team. This season he has played in both flanks and also as a midfielder, showing that his flexibility is yet another asset for the club.

Layun has evolved quickly, and although he still carries out his defensive role, it is in the attack where he makes a real difference. According to Squawka, he has created 10 goal opportunities, including one assist.

This weekend Rogelio Chavez will try to stop Layun's stellar pace.

The Cruz Azul footballer has proved his toughness in the back line. During the 2014 Apertura he has made 25 clearances, 18 interceptions and one block, as per Squawka.

Chavez is also sharp in the last third of the pitch, from where he has created 27 opportunities, 77.8 percent from the right flank.

Felix Araujo (Universidad De Guadalajara) vs. Eduardo Herrera (UNAM)

Christian Palma/Associated Press

After spending two seasons with Santos Laguna, Eduardo Herrera returned to UNAM for the 2014 Apertura, and he has made quite a difference for Pumas.

The striker has already scored five times, including a brace vs. Puebla in Matchday 11. This has been his best tournament so far.

Herrera's momentum will be key when Pumas visit Universidad de Guadalajara, a squad that hasn't won since Matchday 6.

To get back into the winner's circle Felix Araujo must perform at his best, especially when Herrera makes runs into the box.

Araujo has not been strong in duels; he has only won 44 percent of them, according to Squawka.

Dorlan Pabon (Monterrey) vs. Cirilo Saucedo (Tijuana)

Christian Palma/Associated Press

Dorlan Pabon has scored nine times in 10 appearances, securing the top spot of the scorers table.

This weekend he will try to keep Monterrey's winning streak alive and get closer to America. So far Rayados sit four points behind Las Aguilas.

Pabon has had 17 shots on target, and he has created 13 goal opportunities, 61.6 percent of them through the center of the pitch, per Squawka.

Tijuana goalkeeper Cirilo Saucedo has allowed nine goals, but he only has two clean sheets—against Cruz Azul and Morelia.

It's true that the defense isn't going through its best moment, but Saucedo has failed to organize his team-mates, proving there are communication issues.

Javier Orozco (Santos Laguna) vs. Joel Huiqui (Morelia)

Christian Palma/Associated Press

Javier Orozco hadn't scored since Week 7 against Atlas, but in Matchday 11 he surpassed UANL goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman.

With this, "Chuletita" increased his tally in the 2014 Apertura to four goals. Orozco is one of the most accurate strikers in the tournament, with an average of 85 percent, per Squawka.

He is fast and has not only a good long-distance shot, but also a strong aerial game. He is also a team player and can feed balls, especially through the center of the pitch.

Joel Huiqui may be a veteran, but he is not as fast as he used to be. At age 31, the Morelia centre-back has only won half the duels in which he has been involved. 

Huiqui needs to get his act together if he wants to have a real shot at stopping Orozco.

Ariel Nahuelpan (Pachuca) vs. Javier Munoz (Chiapas)

Natacha Pisarenko/Associated Press

Little by little Ariel Nahuelpan has proven to be back on track. The forward arrived in Pachuca after being relegated with UNAM during the 2014 Clausura.

Nahuelpan has already scored five times in 10 appearances, three of them coming in as a sub.

He takes advantage of his height (6'1") and of his ability to kick the ball with both feet, which provides him with different options to surprise the rivals' goalkeepers.

Javier Munoz will be in charge of covering the Argentinean, and there is no better man for the job.

Munoz has made 65 clearances, 10 blocks and 24 interceptions, according to Squawka. The Chiapas centre-back is a ferocious footballer who rarely leaves open spaces.

His average pass accuracy so far is 81 percent.

All stats appear courtesy of ESPN FC unless otherwise noted.

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