América and Chivas: key dates before the Súper Clásico
Both teams have crunch mid-week matches before they meet at the Azteca on Saturday.
It’s Clásico week in the Liga MX and expectations are even higher than normal due to the great moment both teams are in - América, with nine consecutive victories and Chivas who have gone six games without defeat. However, before they come face to face at the Azteca, both have mid-week matches which will be decisive for all of the clubs facing the final phase of the Apertura 2022.
América’s title ambitions
The Águilas are at home to Santos on Wednesday in the rescheduled Week 5 fixture. The Laguneros are also in a good moment, so they certainly won’t be an easy rival for Fernando Ortíz’s team, who are practically guaranteed a place in the play-offs.
The two teams with the best attacking figures in the league will meet at the Coloso de Santa Úrsula with América needing a win to secure their ticket directly to the play-offs. The Tanos go into the game on 31 points, victory would put them on 34 points, which would make it impossible for them to drop out of the top four. Tigres currently sit fifth on 24 points and by winning all of their three remaining matches, can reach a maximum of 33 points.
If América win on Wednesday, they will extend their winning streak to 10 games in a row and would also increase their lead at the top of the table, where they are currently tied on points with Monterrey.
Chivas aspire to qualify directly
Ricardo Cadena’s team are also on a roll. The rojiblancos have the best defence in the competition, which has made them a competitive team. On Tuesday, they face Tigres - a rescheduled game corresponding to Week 9. They will seek to take advantage of the bad moment of Miguel Herrera’s men to make it seven games without knowing defeat.
A Chivas victory over UANL would put them squarely in the fight for a direct ticket to the play-offs, as it would enable them to overtake Tigres and Toluca to secure fifth place on 25 points (they are currently seventh on 22). And if Santos lose at the Azteca, Guadalajara would come within a point of fourth place.
However, it is worth noting that since the play-off format returned to Mexican soccer, in Guardianes 2020, Chivas have never managed to get into the mini-league directly.