6 Bold Predictions for Liga MX Week 13
The 2014 Apertura continues this week with Matchday 13. The regular season of the Liga MX is coming to an end, and the teams will do whatever it takes to finish strong.
America, still atop the general table, needs to step up, as Monterrey and Atlas are getting closer to them. This should put them under enough pressure to overturn last week's 4-0 defeat to Cruz Azul.
La Maquina, along with Queretaro, UNAM and Chiapas, must perform at their best. They still have a good opportunity to secure a spot in the Liguilla, but they have to be focused and willing to work harder than ever.
Guadalajara will try to leave behind the bad results with the help of newly appointed coach Jose Manuel de la Torre, who managed Chivas from 2005 to 2007 and secured the team's most recent championship: 2006 Apertura.
Let's take a look at the bold predictions for the upcoming weekend.
Veracruz Will Win at Estadio Morelos for the First Time in 10 Years
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This week, Morelia will try to leave the bottom of the general table when they host Veracruz at Estadio Morelos.
Monarcas have a 1-4-7 record and their goal difference equals minus-13. This is their worst tournament since they returned to the first division in the 1982/83 season.
Veracruz haven't had a walk in the park either. They sit 15th in the general table with 11 points and only two wins, both on home soil.
Tiburones Rojos haven't defeated Morelia as an away team since the 2004 Apertura, and they will try to take advantage of Monarcas' shaky situation to break the 10-year winless streak.
To accomplish the feat, they need to be well organized and use Daniel Villalva's speed and dribbling skills to stun Morelia.
Monterrey Will Tie America Atop the General Table
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Monterrey will travel to Mexico City to face America. The last time Rayados defeated Las Aguilas at the Estadio Azteca was during the 2012 Clausura.
However, this is a key match for Monterrey as they can tie America atop the general table. So far, Las Aguilas have 26 points, while Rayados have 23.
Carlos Barra's side have one match pending and have only lost twice so far, in Matchdays 4 and 9, both outside their ground.
Dorlan Pabon will be the man to watch, he has scored nine times in 11 appearances. He's also earned four assists so far.
America need to be flawless in the back line if they want to stop Monterrey's lethal offense.
Cruz Azul Will Grab Three Points at Estadio Universitario
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UANL have held off Cruz Azul for six years while playing at Estadio Universitario. La Maquina have had a tough time ever since the 2008 Apertura, when they defeated Tigres on home soil for the last time.
Mariano Pavone is slowly getting back to his old ways. He has scored two times in the past three games, which has been a breath of fresh air for coach Luis Fernando Tena.
Cruz Azul need to keep the momentum going if they want to qualify for the Liguilla. So far they are in, as they sit eighth, but they have no room for mistakes.
Tigres have only lost to America and Chiapas this season, both of those games were held at the Estadio Universitario.
Jose Manuel De La Torre Will Take Guadalajara Back to the Winner's Circle
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Jose Manuel de la Torre will take over Guadalajara starting this week. However, he hasn't coached since he left the Mexico national team last year.
Chivas have struggled for a couple of years, which has put them on the verge of being relegated for the first time in their history.
This season, they have only secured 10 points, as a result of a 2-4-5 record, which includes three defeats on home soil.
Leon won't be an easy rival. Despite their far-from-impressive season, La Fiera have shown more power in the attacking zone than Chivas.
Guadalajara, all together, have scored seven goals, the same number as Leon's Mauro Boselli has achieved individually.
Atlas Will Lose Their First Match on Home Soil
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Atlas are set to face Toluca, a side who haven't lost since Week 6 and are only two points behind Los Zorros.
Estadio Jalisco has been a great venue for Atlas. The home team has secured 14 points, as a result of four wins and two draws.
Their goal difference is plus-six, they have scored 17 times and conceded 11 goals.
Toluca are a lethal squad, especially when they attack through the flanks. Lucas Lobos is the man in charge of distributing the ball and creating plays.
Carlos Esquivel and Edgar Benitez have done a brilliant job. They are unbalancing and fast, which allows them to send crosses to the heart of the penalty box, or take their chances themselves.
UNAM Will Secure Their First Victory on Home Soil
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UNAM have won four times during the 2014 Apertura, but they have yet to grab three points on home soil.
Eduardo Herrera is going through a fantastic moment right now. He is the best Mexican forward of the Liga MX, with five goals to his name.
Pumas need to take advantage of Herrera's momentum, and ignore the fact that they haven't defeated Pachuca at the Estadio Olimpico since the 2012 Apertura.
Also, Los Tuzos overpowered them in the 2014 Clausura Liguilla, after a one-goal draw at the Estadio Hidalgo and a surprising 2-4 in UNAM's ground.
So far, Pachuca are qualified to the Liguilla, as the sixth team of the general table. Pumas are not far—they sit 10th and have a good opportunity to make the playoffs.
All stats appear courtesy of ESPN FC, unless otherwise noted.
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