América’s almost perfect record on the border

Juárez host América in the Liga MX on Thursday - the 10th meeting between the two clubs since the Apertura 2019, and one that the visitors have generally enjoyed. The overall balance is two wins for América and two draws in the four matches played at the Benito Juárez.

Obviously that favors André Jardine’s team in the pre-match forecasts - however, the coach will be fully aware of what happened the last time his side played Juárez. Diego Mejía’s surprised America in the Apertura 2023 by beating them 1-2 at the Azteca back in July.

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However slim that win was, it generated concern about the coach’s ability at the start of the last championship. It proved to be a one-off result - the Águilas have suffered just one defeat since then, in one of the best seasons the team has had in recent times.

Consolidate position at the top of the table

Tomorrow’s night’s game, corresponding to Week 4 of the current Clausura 2024, will be significant for a number of reasons - first and foremost it is the opportunity for América to ratify their status as favorites to go on to win the title. Jardine’s team top the table with two wins from two and zero goals conceded. It will also be the first of three games before the defending champions take a break from the Liga MX to star in the CONCACAF Champions where they will face Nicaragua’s Real Estelí on 6 February.

But returning to Thursday’s match and the most recent meetings, América have never lost to the Bravos as guests. They won 1-2 on matchday five of the Apertura 2021; 0-1 on matchday 17 of Clausura 2023 and were held to two 1-1 draws - matchday 11 of Apertura 2019 and on matchday 17 of Apertura 2020.

The surprising thing about the history between both teams is that Juárez have actually performed better at the Azteca, where they have recorded two victories in the five games they have played in Santa Úrsula.