LIGA MX
Chivas with the numbers in their favor ahead of grand final second leg
Sunday’s return fixture sees the Tigres travel to Guadalajara after a goalless affair in the first leg, but who has the historical edge?
Going into the second leg, Chivas del Guadalajara fans can look at the history books for some positivity. Throughout the history of the leagues, the team playing the return game at home has clinched the championship title 49 times out of 78 contested finals. The tie sits even at 0-0 as Tigres make the trip.
Second leg optimism for Chivas
The rojiblanco side aims to capitalize on these favorable numbers to bolster their efforts in their quest for the ultimate honor. A victory in the final would serve as the perfect conclusion to their remarkable performance in the current Clausura 2023 championship, adding the finishing touch to what has been an extraordinary tournament for them.
Chivas can also look to another pointer. Out of the three finals they have played at home since the 1970-71 season, they have emerged victorious in all of them. Their first triumph took place during the 1986-87 season against Cruz Azul, followed by their success in the Winter 1996 final. Their most recent home triumph occurred in the Clausura 2017 final. If they manage to replicate this achievement, it will mark their fourth time clinching the title at home.
It is worth noting that out of the 49 instances where the home team has emerged victorious in the second leg of the finals, Club América holds the record with nine triumphs, followed by Toluca with seven, and Pumas with five. Cruz Azul and Santos have each achieved this feat four times, while Tigres, Pachuca, León, and Chivas have secured the championship three times. Monterrey has accomplished it twice, while Necaxa, Puebla, Atlante, Tecos, and Morelia have each celebrated victory once.
So, with history on their side -- OK, 49 out of 78 is still only 63% -- the Guadalajara team strive for their fourth coronation in front of their passionate fans, competing in a total of seven finals since the 1970-71 season. They suffered defeat twice as the away team against Puebla in the 1982-83 season and against América in 1983-84. The only time they were crowned champions on foreign turf was during the 2006 Apertura season, when they triumphed over Toluca at the Nemesio Diez stadium.