How many times have Chivas faced Tigres in the Liga MX playoffs and what is their head-to-head record?

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we have our finalists. Chivas will take on Tigres in the final of the Liga MX Clausura 2023 in a match-up that has been all too rare since the short tournament format was introduced in the Mexican top flight. However, history is very much on the side of the men from Guadalajara, who will hope that is a good omen as they go in search of their first domestic title in six years.

2007: Chivas blitz their way to the semi-finals

The first of only three previous liguilla meetings between the teams took place in the Clausura 2007 tournament, with Chivas coming out on top in a goal-filled quarter-final tie. The Jalisco outfit impressively scored three times in victories in each leg, winning 6-3 on aggregate, but were defeated in last four by Club América, who themselves lost the final to Pachuca.

2011: Guadalajara triumph in last eight once again

Four years later, the teams met at the exact same stage of the Clausura 2011 and there was also an identical outcome. Los Rojiblancos put themselves in the driving seat thanks to a 3-1 win at Estadio Akron (then Omnilife) and safely saw out the tie thanks to a 1-1 draw in San Nicolás de los Garza. Their 4-2 aggregate victory came as a slight surprise given that Tigres had gone into the playoffs with the best regular season record.

Once again, though, Chivas were left disappointed in the semi-finals, this time losing 3-1 over two legs to eventual winners Pumas.

2017: Chivas win last Liga MX title

Probably the most memorable encounter - due to both importance and recency - is the Clausura 2017 final. Another thrilling two-legged tie and a third victory out of three for El Rebaño Sagrado, who won by the odd goal in seven. In truth, Matias Almeyda’s team were always in control having been two goals ahead in both legs, although a late goal from Tigres’ Ismael Sosa in the second leg in Guadalajara set up a grandstand finale.

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Guadalajara looking to become Liga MX’s (joint) most decorated club

Are Los Auriazules due a victory heading into this year’s final? They have both Chivas and history to overcome if they are to regain the title that they have already won four times in the last eight years, but not since 2019. Tigres will be going in search of their eighth Liga MX victory, which would move them level with León in fifth place in the all-time table.

However, previous playoff meetings will give Guadalajara confidence and they have the added motivation of knowing a win will see them join Club América on 13 league titles, more than any other club.