Liga MX Power Rankings: León clinches top seed
Esmeraldas extend unbeaten streak to 12
Only two more games left in the Guardianes 2020 season and only three postseason spots remain available. León is the class of the Liga MX and has already sewn up the No. 1 seed throughout the Liguilla, and the Esmeraldas hold on to the top spot for the fifth consecutive week.
There’s still plenty of drama to play out yet as eight teams are mathematically alive for the three other first-round playoff byes. Cruz Azul made the biggest move in that regard, stealing a 2-0 road win at Guadalajara to move back into second place in the table. The win saw them climb two spots in the latest Liga MX Power Rankings but we still see them lagging behind the Tigres.
There was some considerable movement near the bottom as Querétaro continued its free fall, while Atlas and FC Juárez each climbed three spots after strong road performances.
So let’s get right to it. As always, the figure on parentheses after the team name indicates the club’s movement with regard to last week’s Power Rankings.
1. León (—)
The Esmeraldas are on a six-game winning streak and have not lost since a 2-0 setback at Cruz Azul on Aug. 8. Coach Ignacio Ambriz has guided his club to a 10-2-0 record since then.
2. Tigres (—)
The Tigres appeared to be looking ahead to their upcoming showdown at América and allowed FC Juárez to escape Estadio Universitario with a draw. The tie ended a five-game win streak and dropped them to fifth in the Liga MX table, but they are still second only to León in my book.
3. Cruz Azul (+2)
The Cementeros ended a three-game scoreless string with a key 2-0 win at Guadalajara, but they still lack efficiency in the final third. The return from injury of central defender Pablo Aguilar will be a big help from here on out.
4. UNAM (–1)
The Pumas escaped Estadio Hidalgo with a draw thanks to team MVP Alfredo Talavera who stopped a Pachuca penalty kick and the Tuzos’ terrible finishing on breakaways.
More from Playing for 90
- Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
- Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
- Barcelona put five past Real Betis
- Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
- Baffling Liga MX ruling strips Puebla of a hard-earned victory
5. Monterrey (–1)
The Rayados look to be peaking at the right time and they can’t afford to lose focus since they finish Liga MX play with games against Cruz Azul and Guadalajara. In addition, they still must face Tijuana in the second leg of the Copa MX Final on Nov. 4.
6. América (—)
The Aguilas appear to be getting healthy just in time with goalkeeper Memo Ochoa set to return from a seven-week absence. He could make a difference between the pipes against the Tigres on Sunday.
7. Santos (+1)
The Guerreros are on a 4-1-0 streak and could even secure home-field advantage in the wildcard round, but they must visit Liga MX leaders León this weekend before finishing at home against Mazatlán FC.
8. Pachuca (+1)
The Tuzos are unbeaten in six games but have made up little ground because five of those results have been draws. They squandered numerous opportunities to put away the visiting Pumas on Monday, creating several second-half breakouts without even getting a shot on net.