PREVIEW: WEEKEND MEXICAN ACTION Friday, October 30, 2009
With just four games left in the Apertura, the gloves will be coming off as wins have become ever important for playoff contenders San Luis, Tigres, and Pachuca.
San Luis – Monterrey
Michael Orozco and second-place San Luis of Group 1 take on faltering Monterrey who are currently in third place of Group 2 on Saturday at Alfonso Lastras Ramirez stadium in San Luis Potosi.
San Luis maintain an uncomfortable two and three point cushion over third place Chivas and fourth place Atlas respectively.
After winning their first seven out of ten, Monterrey have lost three in a row and desperately need a win to stay in contention for their group's highly contested playoff spots. A mere five points separate first from fifth place in Group 2.
Orozco has missed the last two games, one due to suspension from a red card, however should jump back in the lineup at midfield.
San Luis's Oscar Mascorro is suspended while Monterrey's Abraham Carreño is in doubt due to injury.
Indios – Puebla
Marco Vidal and the Indios of Juarez are still looking for their first win of the Apertura as they host hard-to-beat Puebla on Saturday in Olympico Benito Juarez Stadium.
With playoffs out of the picture, the Indios will do all they can to avoid relegation, which is becoming an ever present reality. With zero wins on the season, and a scant four points by way of ties, matters could not be looking worse.
The picture for Puebla on the other hand, is looking up. Having only dropped one game all season, and coming off a win over first place holder in Group 2 Morelia, confidence is high for the Camoteros.
Puebla currently sit in fifth place in the mighty Group 2, only five points out of first place, however if they do not get a win in Juarez, they can likely kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.
Expecting a win over a winless team might not be so easy, however Indios are looking to avoid closing out their season without taking a single victory.
Vidal should get the starting nod in right midfield, however Indios will be without Javier Malagueño and Daniel Frias due to injury, while Puebla will have to do without Joaquín Velázquez and Andrés Nicolás Oliveira due to suspension.
Tigres – Estudiantes
It will be an intragroup battle as Edgar Castillo and fourth-place Tigres host Sammy Ochoa and fifth-place Estudiantes on Saturday at Universitario stadium in Nuevo Leon.
Tigres sit only four points out of second place, while Estudiantes are seven out. If either team can win-out the rest of their games, a playoff spot might just be theirs.
Tigres have won two of their last three, while Estudiantes are headed in the opposite direction, having lost five of their last seven.
Castillo should take up his usual starting spot on the left side of Tigres' central midfield.
The team is reporting that José Rivas and Israel Jiménez are out due to injury, while Estudiantes will be without Rubens Sambueza and Juan Carlos Leaño due to suspension.
Atlas – Pachuca
USMNT hopeful Francisco Torres and fourth-place Pachuca of Group 2 head to Guadalajara, Jalisco to take on Atlas, also fourth in Group 1, on Saturday in Jalisco stadium.
Both teams are in position for playoff qualification, as Pachuca sit just three points out of first and Atlas are a mere three points out of second.
Atlas have dropped two in a row while Pachuca have won two of their last three.
Atlas will do without Néstor Vidrio and Ricardo Jiménez who are injured, while Pachuca will do without Paul Aguilar, who is also injured.
Torres should get the starting nod in his usual spot in the left side of Pachuca's central midfield.
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