Atlas and Chivas will face off again in this year’s first Clasico Tapatio with both teams needing a win for different reasons. El Rebano looks to sneak into the Liguilla while La Academia will look to secure their spot and avoid relegation…well Liga MX’s version of relegation this season. History is on Chivas’s side, since 2011, they have won 12 of the last 25 matchups, including winning the last five games, drawing seven, and only losing six games.
Los Zorros come into the game clinging to the 7th position in the table with Toluca, and Tigres looking to overtake them. To say their last five games have been like the stock market would be an understatement with a record of win, loss, win, loss, and drawn in their previous last game. A loss to their city nemesis would not only put Los Zorro’s in a precarious situation in the hunt for the liguilla but also hurt their chances of staying above Atletico San Luis in the porcentual. In the ultimate irony, If certain results occur, Chivas may end up taking Atlas’s place in the Liguilla.
On The Line For Chivas
Chivas has been on a similar ride producing a draw, loss, draw, loss, and win in the past five games. Vucetich may be coaching for his future ahead of El Rebano, as after last year’s improbable playoff run, the results this year have not favored Chivas. Currently, in the 14th position, Chivas need a combination of results to try and sneak into the playoffs this year. A win this Saturday may clear their path to the repechaje, and in an only in Liga MX situation, may end up taking their rivals spot in the Liguilla.
While both teams don’t come into the game in the best circumstances, there is much more than city bragging rights on the line this Saturday.
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