LIGA MX
What do Pumas need to qualify directly for the Liguilla?
The University team head into the final game of the regular phase at home to Chivas. We look at what they need to book their place in the quarter finals.
Pumas emerged from their barren run just when it mattered most. They comfortably beat Atlas 3-0 on Sunday night - their first win in four outings, against a rival who have been one of the Liga MX’s main protagonists in recent years. Goals from Dinenno, Chino Huerta and Del Prete ensured a vital home victory and a confidence boost for one of the candidates for the title. However, there’s still work to be done - the first task is securing direct qualification to the quarter finals (Liguilla) when the regular phase is wrapped up this weekend.
Antonio Mohamed’s team have already guaranteed a ticket to the next round via the Play-In, but there is nothing like advancing straight to the quarter finals without the need to worry that your entire season hinges on a single knockout match. So finishing among the top six places at the end of the Apertura 2023 regular phase is the ideal option for any club, now that the qualification process has changed.
As the decisive Week 17 fixtures approach, the question is: What do Pumas need to qualify directly for the next stage? Contrary to what many may think, the panorama doesn’t look as complicated as it might seem, nor is it dependent on other factors.
Victory against Chivas a must
On the final weekend of regular season action, much will depend on Saturday’s match between Auriazules and Rojiblancos who are side by side in the table. Chivas are fourth on 27 points while Pumas are one place and two points behind in fifth. Even if Guadalajara lose, the lowest position they could drop is to fifth (and UNAM in fourth) so both teams would automatically progress to the quarter finals.
What happens if Pumas lose or draw on the final day?
However, defeat to Chivas could complicate matters for Pumas. If they lose and Atlético San Luis (6th, 23 points) and Tijuana (7th, 23 points) both win, they would fall to seventh and enter the playoffs.
If Pumas draw against Chivas and San Luis win, the Colchoneros would move up a place to fifth (26 points) on goal difference, leaving Pumas in sixth (also on 26 points) - which also represents direct qualification.
To recap, with a victory on Saturday, Pumas will secure fourth place and qualify directly for the next round. The only scenario which would leave them in the play-in places is if they lose to Guadalajara and the two teams below the in the table both win.