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Liga MX: Playoff shuffling continues with one week to go

By Gabe Martinez

MONTERREY, MEXICO - APRIL 30: Javier Aquino of Tigres drives the ball while followed by Jesus Paganoni and Fernando Meneses of Veracruz during the 16th round match between Tigres UANL and Veracruz as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Universitario Stadium on April 30, 2016 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Azael Rodriguez/LatinContent/Getty Images)
MONTERREY, MEXICO - APRIL 30: Javier Aquino of Tigres drives the ball while followed by Jesus Paganoni and Fernando Meneses of Veracruz during the 16th round match between Tigres UANL and Veracruz as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Universitario Stadium on April 30, 2016 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Azael Rodriguez/LatinContent/Getty Images) /
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Seven slots have been clinched in the Liga MX playoffs, but who will be left out after Week 17?

 Week 16 brought major drama to the playoff picture as teams across Liga MX looked to clinch a spot in the postseason or simply try to move up the table to secure home field advantage in the first round.  The top two teams in the league, Club America and Monterrey gave us a potential preview of the final with a 3-3 draw, but it’s whats happening at the bottom of the playoff picture that has everyone watching.

With just one spot available and six teams still in contention for that final position Week 17 will be chaotic. We now delve into what the playoffs look like right now and what teams could expect.

1. Monterrey, 37 Points

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – APRIL 30: Carlos Sanchez of Monterrey (L) celebrates after scoring the second goal of his team during the 16th round match between America and Monterrey as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Azteca Stadium on April 30, 2016 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Pedro Mera/LatinContent/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – APRIL 30: Carlos Sanchez of Monterrey (L) celebrates after scoring the second goal of his team during the 16th round match between America and Monterrey as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Azteca Stadium on April 30, 2016 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Pedro Mera/LatinContent/Getty Images) /

Los Rayados have all but secured the number one seed in the Clausura playoffs after a thrilling draw 3-3 against Club America. Now Monterrey will look to polish off the campaign against playoff hopeful Red Devils of Toluca and gather more momentum heading into the postseason.

2. Club America, 28 Points

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – APRIL 30: Pablo Aguilar of America celebrates with teammates after scoring the second goal of his team during the 16th round match between America and Monterrey as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Azteca Stadium on April 30, 2016 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Pedro Mera/LatinContent/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – APRIL 30: Pablo Aguilar of America celebrates with teammates after scoring the second goal of his team during the 16th round match between America and Monterrey as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Azteca Stadium on April 30, 2016 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Pedro Mera/LatinContent/Getty Images) /

Las Aguilas have had a terrific Spring campaign, but all that hard work in the second half of the season may be all for not if they can’t get three points in the final week of the season. Sitting with 28 points, their current 8-4-4 record may not be enough with three clubs sitting just one point behind them vying for second place. America will be at home against Pumas and notching three points will assure the second spot in the post season.

3. Pachuca, 27 Points

Hirving Lozano (R) of Pachuca celebrates his goal against Dorados witn his teammate Emmanuel Garcia (L) during their Mexican Clausura 2016 Tournament football match at the Hidalgo stadium on March 5, 2016 in Pachuca, Hidalgo state, Mexico. / AFP / MARIA CALLS (Photo credit should read MARIA CALLS/AFP/Getty Images)
Hirving Lozano (R) of Pachuca celebrates his goal against Dorados witn his teammate Emmanuel Garcia (L) during their Mexican Clausura 2016 Tournament football match at the Hidalgo stadium on March 5, 2016 in Pachuca, Hidalgo state, Mexico. / AFP / MARIA CALLS (Photo credit should read MARIA CALLS/AFP/Getty Images) /

Looking to solidify a top four position didn’t come easy over the weekend as Los Tuzos only managed one point in a 0-0 draw against Leon. It wasn’t the result they were hoping for as second place is still within reach. Pachuca has a chance to finish the season with three points against Chiapas, but will it be enough to move up?

 4. Leon, 27 Points

MONTERREY, MEXICO – JANUARY 30: Players of Leon pose prior the fourth round match between Tigres and Leon as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Universitario Stadium on January 30, 2016 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Azael Rodriguez/LatinContent/Getty Images)
MONTERREY, MEXICO – JANUARY 30: Players of Leon pose prior the fourth round match between Tigres and Leon as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Universitario Stadium on January 30, 2016 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Azael Rodriguez/LatinContent/Getty Images) /

As mentioned on Friday Leon has been able to earn a top four spot, so far, in a quiet manner. Sitting with 27 points, gathering a positive result, more likely three points, will see them stay in the top 5 range. Leon has quite the chance to do that with relegation bound Dorados on the horizon in Week 17, but it will be easier said than done as Sinaloa in recent weeks has beaten Cruz Azul and Morelia, both in playoff contention.

5. Santos Laguna, 27 Points

TORREON, MEXICO – APRIL 23: Andres Renteria of Santos drives the ball during the 15th round match between Santos Laguna and Tigres UANL as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Corona Stadium on April 23, 2016 in Torreon, Mexico. (Photo by Saul Gonzalez/LatinContent/Getty Images)
TORREON, MEXICO – APRIL 23: Andres Renteria of Santos drives the ball during the 15th round match between Santos Laguna and Tigres UANL as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Corona Stadium on April 23, 2016 in Torreon, Mexico. (Photo by Saul Gonzalez/LatinContent/Getty Images) /

Santos fell on the road to Morelia 3-2 and missed out on a chance to gain any ground in the table. Despite goals from Diego Gonzalez and Jesus Molina, Santos now sits in a position of must win to maintain, at minimum, the number five spot. Anything less could see them tumble as far as 7th place should they lose to Chivas. That match now has significant repercussions for the club that loses. After all avoiding America and Monterrey in the first round is vital to their success.

6. Chivas, 25 Points

PACHUCA, MEXICO – APRIL 23: Carlos Salcedo of Chivas gestures during the 15th round match between Pachuca and Chivas as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Hidalgo Stadium on April 23, 2016 in Pachuca, Mexico. (Photo by Miguel Tovar/LatinContent/Getty Images)
PACHUCA, MEXICO – APRIL 23: Carlos Salcedo of Chivas gestures during the 15th round match between Pachuca and Chivas as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Hidalgo Stadium on April 23, 2016 in Pachuca, Mexico. (Photo by Miguel Tovar/LatinContent/Getty Images) /

The rise of Chivas in Clausura 2016 has been the story of the season. Now in the middle of a six match streak without losing could propel them into a top five position. Chivas is coming off a win against Dorados and have the opportunity to gather another three points, but Santos sits ahead of them. Chivas will try to avoid a first round clash with rival America if they can, Week 17 will define that picture more so.

7. Monarcas Morelia, 25 Points

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO – APRIL 09: Rodolfo Salinas of Atlas fights for the ball with Pablo Rodriguez of Morelia during the 13th round match between Atlas and Morelia as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Jalisco Stadium on April 09, 2016 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Refugio Ruiz/LatinContent/Getty Images)
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO – APRIL 09: Rodolfo Salinas of Atlas fights for the ball with Pablo Rodriguez of Morelia during the 13th round match between Atlas and Morelia as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Jalisco Stadium on April 09, 2016 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Refugio Ruiz/LatinContent/Getty Images) /

Monarcas like most other playoff bound teams there is still an chance to move up the table, and with no less than a draw assure themselves of no worse than 7th place. Coming off a big 3-2 victory over Santos, Morelia needs to tally up points against Liga MX bottom dweller Veracruz on the road. Despite a 1-0 loss to Dorados last week, Morelia has been one of the hottest teams winning five of their last six matches.

8. Cruz Azul, 22 Points

Fernando Uribe (R) of Toluca jumps for the ball with Francisco Rodriguez (L) of Cruz Azul during their Mexican Clausura 2016 football tournament match at Nemesio Diez stadium on May 1, 2016, in Toluca, Mexico. / AFP / MARIA CALLS (Photo credit should read MARIA CALLS/AFP/Getty Images)
Fernando Uribe (R) of Toluca jumps for the ball with Francisco Rodriguez (L) of Cruz Azul during their Mexican Clausura 2016 football tournament match at Nemesio Diez stadium on May 1, 2016, in Toluca, Mexico. / AFP / MARIA CALLS (Photo credit should read MARIA CALLS/AFP/Getty Images) /

La Maquina Cementera finds themselves in the 8th position this week after beating Toluca 2-0. No one seems to be able to hang on to this spot in the table, but now Cruz Azul hold on to it by the slightest of margins. Cruz Azul heads into Week 17 with a virtual playoff, winner take all, match against Tigres. A tie could see them both out so expect it to be a three points or bust type of game.

More playing for 90: Top 5 matches to watch in first round of Copa America Centenario

If you watch enough Liga MX you know that anything can happen with the playoffs and even the final weeks of the season, keep an eye on results from Tigres, Pumas, Toluca, Queretaro and Puebla. All five teams are on the outside looking in, but could find the result they need to sneak into the playoffs.

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