Jornada 13 preview

By: Chris | March 30th, 2007

The league finally returns to a full slate of games this weekend as only 5 jornadas remain in the Clausura, with teams looking to make playoff pushes and others looking to avoid relegation.

The action begins on Saturday:

Jaguares v. Santos – 5 p.m. EST – Estadio Victor Manuel Reyna – Azteca America

Jaguares need to finish the season strong to have any hopes of making the playoffs. They are currently just 3 points out of 6th place, and a home game against lowly Santos could be just what the doctor ordered. Argentine Javier Cámpora is your surprisingly leading scorer in the Clausura, with 9 goals.

Santos, on the other hand, have started to come on strong after a horrible start to the season. 10 points in their last 5 games have helped their precarious situation in the relegation battle with Querétaro, plus the team still has a shot at a playoff spot. With games remaining against Toluca, Pachuca and Cruz Azul, this looks to be a must-win for Daniel Guzmán and company.

Veracruz v. Pachuca – 7 p.m. EST – Estadio Luis Pirata Fuente – Azteca America

Veracruz, sitting at the bottom of the table, needs to start scoring some goals to have any shot of making the Liguilla, and a date with Pachuca isn’t what they need. Just 8 goals in 12 games, plus a league-worst -11 goal differential spells disaster against the league’s top team.

But Veracruz could find a Pachuca team looking ahead to next Thursday’s CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal 2nd leg, in which Pachuca must find a way to turn around a 2-0 disadvantage against the Houston Dynamo. Still, a Saturday game plus 4 days of rest and having the Dynamo game at home probably means Pachuca won’t be resting their starters, especially since the team is sitting in 1st place and looking to sew up the top seed in the Liguilla.

San Luis v. Chivas – 7 p.m. – Estadio Alfonso Lastras Ramírez – 7 p.m. EST – Telefutura

San Luis is another team stuck on 14 points, on the outside looking in on the Liguilla as I type this. As we’ve see before, anything can happen, and the Tuneros need to take the points from any remaining home games to have a fighting chance.

And once again, the CONCACAF Champions Cup could play a factor in this one as well, as Chivas will definitely have Tuesday’s clash with D.C. United in the back of their minds. With a 3rd place spot in the table and many of his players on international duty this past week, El Chepo de la Torre could decide to give some of his big boys a rest in this one.

Tigres v. Monterrey – 9 p.m. EST – Estadio Universitario – Galavision

Throw out the records in this one, this is the one game to watch this weekend. The Monterrey derby ranks just behind the Superclasico in terms of passion.

Despite having the game at home and sitting 7th in the table, I’d have to say Tigres come in as the underdogs in this one. John Javier Restrepo and Kikín Fonseca will miss the game due to suspension, while Walter Gaitán will also be absent through injury. Little-used Juan Pablo García will be forced into action and relied on heavily to give the cuadro felino a win.

Monterrey, on the other hand, can turn around a terrible season by winning the one game that matters most to its fans. The team sits just one point from the bottom of the table and is looking for a miracle to join the Liguilla. A loss here and coach Miguel Herrera might be looking for a new job.

Morelia v. Necaxa – 9 p.m. EST – Estadio Morelos – Fox Sports en Español

Although the Monarcas come into this game in 8th place and right in the playoff hunt, they haven’t played like it lately. 4 losses in their last 5 games isn’t making things better, although their remaining schedule does get much easier.

But a tough Necaxa team awaits, one that is playing like night and day in its two competitions at the moment. The Hidrorayos have performed brilliantly in the Copa Libertadores, leading their group with 3 wins in 3 games. And with a Wednesday clash at Sao Paulo looming, one in which they can lock up a berth in the Round of 16, priorities might be already on the plane to Brazil. Back at home, Necaxa sits 17th of 18 teams with just 3 points in their last 9 games. For the real Necaxa, I suggest watching Wednesday’s match and skipping this one.

Atlas v. Cruz Azul – 10:45 p.m. EST – Estadio Jalisco – Telefutura (tape delay at 11 p.m.)

The weekend’s top match outside of Monterrey as 2nd place Cruz Azul visits 5th place Atlas. Andres Guardado looked like a man possessed in the 2nd half of Wednesday’s friendly against Ecuador, so we’ll see how much gas he has left in the tank. As always, he holds the key to Atlas’s success.

Cruz Azul is sitting comfortably in a position for the Liguilla, and with games against Veracruz, Jaguares and Santos still remaining, a draw against a tough Atlas team might be good enough for the Cementeros.

Sunday’s games

Mexico (and the rest of the world) finally catch up with the United States and push their clocks forward, making for no more awkward match start times.

Toluca v. Atlante – 1 p.m. EST – Estadio La Bombonera – Univision

What can you say about Toluca? 2 wins, 1 loss and an astounding 8 draws in 11 matches have frustrated the home supporters to no end. Still, the Diablos Rojos still sit on 14 points, on the cusp of a Liguilla berth. Equally confounding is their run in Copa Libertadores, where they’ve celebrated a 2-0 victory at home over Boca Juniors while tearing their hair out at a 3-0 loss away to Boca and a shocking 2-1 defeat at home to lightly-regarded Bolívar. Will the real Toluca please stand up?

Meanwhile, Atlante sit 6th in the table, just a few victories from sewing up a spot in the playoffs. But don’t be deceived. The Potros de Hierro still possess a -1 goal differential. Atlante closes the season “away” to América and at home against Pachuca, so at least a point here is a must.

América v. Querétaro – 5 p.m. EST – Estadio Azteca – Telefutura

Two straight wins have put América back on track for a top spot in the Liguilla. And with an overmatched Querétaro coming to town, surely the Águilas will be disappointed with anything except the full three points in this one.

But the Gallos Blancos have everything to fight for. Not only do they sit just 3 points out of the Liguilla, but they’re also fighting for their lives in the Primera Division. Just one point could go a long way for Querétaro who might have to wait for another day to try and snatch 3 valuable points in their relegation battle with Santos.

Tecos v. Pumas – 5 p.m. EST – Estadio Tres de Marzo – Azteca America

Two straight wins have the always-forgotten Tecos thinking playoffs. With their place in the top division pretty much secure, the Owls can look towards giving Darío Franco his first spot in the Liguilla as a head coach.

Pumas, on the other hand, have drawn their last 4 matches and haven’t fared that well away from the C.U., notching just one win and three draws. They do, however, sit level with Tecos on 16 points in 9th place, so this should make for an interesting affair in Zapopan.