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Chivas-Cruz Azul tops Matchday 6 line-up

By Thomas Buckley

Javier López and the Chivas are in desperate need of a win or risk seeing their playoff dreams smashed. They host Cruz Azul on Saturday. (Photo by Juan Mejia/Jam Media/Getty Images)
Javier López and the Chivas are in desperate need of a win or risk seeing their playoff dreams smashed. They host Cruz Azul on Saturday. (Photo by Juan Mejia/Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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Chivas v Cruz Azul
FC Juárez striker Darío Lezcano (right) has sparked the Bravos to a fast start. They visit Monterrey on Saturday with a chance to prove they are not pretenders. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /

No. 2 UNAM and No. 3 Juárez must prove they’re for real

Three other Matchday 6 games to watch are FC Juárez at Monterrey, UNAM at Toluca and Tigres at Santos.

Defending champs Monterrey host upstart Juárez with their season on the line. The winless Rayados are in last place and just witnessed the drama of star playmaker Rodolfo Pizarro forcing his way out of the club to join MLS expansion team Inter Miami.

The champs know they must react now or risk missing the chance to defend their crown. Juárez has been among the most pleasant surprises in Liga MX, highlighted by a stunning 3-1 win over América at Estadio Azteca. The Bravos want to prove that they are not pretenders and there’s no better chance than to come away from Estadio BBVA Bancomer on Saturday night with points.

UNAM is the league’s lone unbeaten team (3-2-0) and they’ve been doing it with offense (12 goals). The Pumas were expected to struggle this season after overhauling their roster, but the team has bought into the system installed by “Michel” and seem to have benefited from the departure of a few malcontents.

Toluca has not won at home yet this season (0-1-1) but Estadio Bombonera is not an easy place for visitors to win. However, the Diablos defense has been shaky at times, forcing goalie Alfredo Talavera to stand on his head. I’m not sure “Tala” can do it alone against this feisty Pumas team.

Last season’s No. 1 seed Santos has struggled to execute the high-pressure defense that made the Guerreros so dangerous during the Apertura 2019. Coach Guillermo Almada has been frustrated by mistakes at the back and a misfiring offense. If his team fails to execute on Sunday at the Estadio Corona, the Tigres are likely to take advantage.

dark. Next. Big northern clubs off to slow start

The veteran Tigres remain a title favorite but they lack explosiveness on offense. Injuries to Hugo Ayala and Diego Reyes have weakened the defense, but conservative tactics have offered protection for goalie Nahuel Guzmán despite reducing scoring chances. Expect this game to be a chess match between “Tuca” Ferretti and Almada. The outcome could come down to an inspirational play from either Julio Furch (Santos) or André-Pierre Gignac (Tigres).

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