Clausura semifinals preview

By: Chris | May 17th, 2007

Four teams are left in the Clausura playoffs, with the action getting underway tonight.

Both of the first legs will be played tonight while the return legs will be played Sunday night.

Pachuca v. Cruz Azul
Thursday:
Pachuca at Cruz Azul – 7 PM ET / 6 PM CT / 4 PM PT
Sunday:
Cruz Azul at Pachuca – 9 PM ET / 8 PM CT / 6 PM PT
Both games on Azteca America

Pachuca enters having barely advanced over Santos, tieing them 2-2 on aggregate but advancing on the higher-seed rule. The reigning Copa Sudamericana and CONCACAF Champions Cup holders are still the favorites, however.

Cruz Azul is the one team that’s being overlooked out of the last four. With Pachuca and the high-profile matchup in the other semi, the Cementeros could spoil the party for the rest of the bunch. Jared Borgetti, Miguel Sabah, César Delgado and Gerardo Torrado form one of the most impressive lineups in the country.

Chivas v. América
Thursday:
Chivas at América – 9:30 PM ET / 8:30 PM CT / 6:30 PM PT – Telefutura
Sunday:
América at Chivas – 7 PM ET / 6 PM CT / 4 PM PT – Univision

What can be said that already hasn’t? The Superclásico is relived twice in four days, in a rematch of the semfinals from the Apertura playoffs. Chivas advanced in that tie where they eventually beat Toluca to win the Apertura. The hosting is reversed this time around, as Chivas will hold the advantage with the second leg at the Jalisco.

América comes in hot off the heels of their 0-0 draw against Santos of Brasil on Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. The Águilas rested most of their first-team players but brought on Cuauhtémoc Blanco and Salvador Cabañas with about 30 minutes left. Will the effects of the lackluster draw at home dampen the spirits of the Águilas faithful? Highly doubtful, considering the opponent.

I’m not willing to make any predictions here, considering Pachuca’s crappy efforts against Santos and the fact that any Superclásico is always a tossup. It should make for some entertaining games this week.