Liga MX: Why Guadalajara Will Avoid Relegation

Guadalajara have been struggling with their performance in the past couple of years, which led them to sit at the bottom of the relegation table, but not anymore.

Chivas started the 2015 Clausura with the commitment to stay in the Mexican first division.

Their record didn't look very good. Before Matchday 1 of the tournament, they had won 13 games of a total of 68 (four seasons).

The situation got even worse when they lost their opening game against Chiapas, as they fell to the bottom of the relegation table.

Guadalajara won the following game, but had a very shaky record until Week 6: 2-2-2. At least they were finally taking advantage of playing on home soil.

Little by little the squad started to play with more structure and coordination.

From Matchday 7 to 10 they secured three wins, including a key victory against Puebla, one of the other clubs that's fighting to stay in the Liga MX.

The result was particularly critical because a week earlier Guadalajara had lost to Queretaro.

Perhaps one of the most refreshing news is that coach Jose Manuel de la Torre's bet to bring young blood to the team has worked.

Marco Fabian returned to Chivas after a year with Cruz Azul. Fabian had left Guadalajara after a series of scandals, including a party in Las Vegas, per Record (in Spanish) and a controversial goal celebration.

But the Mexico international returned to his home club with a lot to offer in the attacking zone. Fabian has put the ball away two times and has also made three assists.

Don't forget about Erick Torres, who is on a six-month loan from Houston Dynamo. After a fantastic 2014 season with Chivas USA, El Cubo has already netted twice in his return to the Liga MX.

He secured a brace in the match against Puebla, which gave Guadalajara three more points and their fifth victory of the season, something they hadn't achieved in the past two years.

Aldo de Nigris had had a fantastic comeback, but he will be out for three weeks due to an injury in the left thigh. The forward put the ball away against Cruz Azul and Monterrey (Guadalajara won both games).

If De la Torre managed to stay afloat despite De Nigris' injury and the tough blow against Gallos Blancos, he can tackle any challenge.

Chivas sit fourth in the general table, with 17 points, two clear from Puebla, their closest competitor, and four from Universidad de Guadalajara.

De la Torre's side needs to take advantage of their momentum. La Franja have to win basically all of their games to stay in the Liga MX.

Puebla may be the seventh-best team of the 2015 Clausura but they haven't won in two weeks. Plus, Cuauhtemoc Blanco will play his last match next month, as he is about to start his political career.

If Chivas' players continue to show heart and hunger, there shouldn't be a single doubt that they'll stay in Mexico's top division.

All stats appear courtesy of ESPN FC.