5 Storylines to Watch in Liga MX This Weekend

The 2015 Clausura is underway, and though this is just Week 2 of the tournament, there are plenty of things going on in the Liga MX.

Some clubs won't be able to line up some of their top players—such is the case of UANL.

There's also the relegation saga, which has Guadalajara, Puebla and Veracruz hanging by a thread. Every week will be crucial for these three clubs, but this matchday will be especially interesting since Tiburones Rojos and Puebla face each other.

So far America, Veracruz, Puebla, Chiapas, Atlas, Cruz Azul and Universidad de Guadalajara are tied for the lead, after winning their respective opening matches.

Meanwhile, Matias Alustiza (Puebla), Leiton Jimenez (Veracruz) and Oribe Peralta (America) lead the scorers’ table with two goals.

Let's take a look at the storylines to watch this weekend.

Guadalajara's Relegation Drama

DARREN HAUCK/Associated Press

It's been a couple of rough years for Guadalajara, and things are getting even more complicated.

Chivas are fighting to leave the relegation zone behind, but it hasn't been an easy task. The club sits last in the relegation table after losing in Matchday 1 against Chiapas.

After the game, coach Jose Manuel de la Torre told the media that it was a painful defeat because it was the result of several mistakes made by his side, which could have been avoided, as reported by MedioTiempo.com (in Spanish).

This week, Guadalajara will host UNAM at Estadio Omnilife, but playing in their turf vs. Pumas is no guarantee. Both clubs have met five times in this venue, with one victory for the home team and four draws.

Chivas need those three points desperately because Veracruz and Puebla, the other teams fighting to stay in the first division, will face each other this week.

Veracruz vs. Puebla Will Be Key for the Relegation Race

Christian Palma/Associated Press

Veracruz need to take advantage on playing at Estadio Luis 'Pirata' Fuente this week.

Tiburones Rojos sit third-to-last in the relegation table, just ahead of Guadalajara and Puebla. With their surprising 1-2 win over Santos in Matchday 1, the club seem to be in the perfect position to add three more points to their count.

Puebla also won last week, leaving Guadalajara at the bottom of the table. La Franja defeated Tijuana 2-1 at Estadio Cuauhtémoc.

Now, they will try to keep their good record at Veracruz's turf. Puebla have defeated Tiburones Rojos in the last couple of games they have played there.

Dario Benedetto Will Play Against His Former Team Tijuana

Christian Palma/Associated Press

America will visit Tijuana in Matchday 2, and that means Dario Benedetto will perform against his former club for the first time.

Benedetto hasn't scored with Las Aguilas. Last week, the club defeated Leon 3-2 at the Estadio Azteca and he assisted Oribe Peralta for the second goal.

Last season, the Argentine put the ball away nine times, sealing his best season in the Liga MX since he arrived in Mexico for the 2013 Apertura.

America have only won once in Xolos turf. In the 2013 Clausura, Las Aguilas secured a 1-2 victory.

Santos Laguna Will Seek Their First Victory at Estadio Azul Since 2012

Matilde Campodonico/Associated Press

During the 2012 Clausura, Santos Laguna secured three points at Estadio Azul, after defeating Cruz Azul 1-2. That was the last time Los Guerreros overpowered La Maquina on their ground. 

A lot has changed since then. For starters, Darwin Quintero and Daniel Luduena are no longer playing for Santos. The first moved this season to America, while the latter left for Pachuca in 2013 and a year later arrived in UNAM.

Los Guerreros come from a painful loss to Veracruz, a club that hadn't defeated them on their ground since 2006.

Meanwhile, Cruz Azul grabbed three points when they visited Pachuca at Estadio Hidalgo. Joao Rojas scored the sole goal of the game.

Tigres UANL Have Four Key Players Absent

Eduardo Verdugo/Associated Press

UANL won't have it easy when they face Leon at Nou Camp.

Not only are the Tigres coming from a 0-1 defeat to Atlas, but they will have to do their best without Gerardo Lugo, Jose Torres, Joffre Guerron and Damian Alvarez on the pitch.

Lugo has a thigh injury, Torres has a slipped disk and Guerron was booked twice last week and received a one-game suspension. Meanwhile, Alvarez is still serving his three-match penalty after his lapse of judgment in the final showdown of the 2014 Apertura tournament.

Coach Ricardo Ferretti better have an ace up his sleeve, because his attacking options have been reduced. Last season Lugo, Alvarez and Guerron put the ball away 11 times (overall, the club had 25 goals for).

All advanced stats appear courtesy of WhoScored.com and Fox Sports, unless otherwise noted. 

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