Jornada 5 Preview: Double Clasicos Grab Spotlight

Posted Saturday, February 13, 2010 by Goal.com

Jornada 5 will feature el Clasico Joven (Cruz Azul-America) and el Clasico Regiomontano (Tigres-Monterrey).

Of all the potential matchups in Mexico, a few Clasicos stand out above the rest. While this Jornada does not feature the Superclasico, it does provide a pair of mouth-watering and captivating matchups.

To close out the Jornada, the league will offer up two of the most anticipated games of any season as Cruz Azul visits America, with Tigres-Monterrey following that match.

SATURDAY

Jaguares vs. Queretaro, 6 p.m. ET

Jaguares need an urgent win against Queretaro. The team is yet to win a single game this season which makes their Liguilla hopes look very bleak. On the other side of the coin Queretaro is enjoying some relative success. Los Gallos Blanco’s will be coming off their only defeat in the season which came against the best team in the league, Chivas. Another thing to note is that Jaguares can not win at home. Their last home victory was in March of 2009. They will hope to change that as they already sacked Luis Fernando Tena and replaced him with Pablo Marini. Both teams are reporting full rosters for the encounter.

Prediction: Queretaro, 1-0.

Santos vs. Toluca, 6 p.m. ET

It’s surprising to hear that Toluca has yet to win a game after the fourth Jornada. Usually Los Diablos would be either Superliders or somewhere at the top. It hasn’t happened that way and Toluca along with their trainer is desperate to get a victory. Santos is enjoying some success. They are not the most flashy team but they do have two wins and hold the top spot in what seems to be the weakest group, group 3. The victory will mean more to Toluca who has seen an immediate drop in attendance at the Nemesio Diez. Santos will play with out Felipe Baloy, Jose Maria Cardenas, and Carlos Ochoa who are all injured. Toluca on the other hand list Hector Mancilla as questionable for the encounter.

Prediction: Santos, 2-1.

Morelia vs. Atlas, 8 p.m. ET

This match looks to be the one to watch but will Morelia really bring it? Both teams are enjoying success in the league at the moment. They both have the same record but Atlas should have the advantage in this one. Morelia is coming off a long trip from Argentina where they lost to Banfield. With little time to prepare Las Monarcas are forced into a duel with a red hot Atlas team. If it weren’t for Javier Hernandez in Chivas, Atlas would probably have the best player right now in the Mexican League. Miguel Zepeda has risen from the ashes and has given Atlas a new light. Atlas has great mixture in their line-up and with that they will try for four consecutive wins. Morelia reports no losses for the encounters while Atlas has Miguel Zepeda listed as doubtful with Daniel Osorno and Eduardo Rergis out.

Prediction: Atlas, 3-0.

Chivas vs. Atlante, 8 p.m. ET

Stability has found Chivas well. The club has reeled off four consecutive victories and they have earned each win. The club has dominated its competition and up next is another club begging to be dominated. Atlante have been the opposite of Chivas this year. Los Potros have yet to win a game and have yielded nine goals in four games - their minus-five goal differential is third-worst in the league. Barring some sort of collapse, Chivas will pick up their fifth win with relative ease.

Prediction: Chivas, 3-0.

San Luis vs. Indios, 9:45 p.m. ET

What do you get when you put together two terrible teams? We'll find out on the weekend. These two teams have combined for a 1-6-1 record with four goals scored and 17 goals allowed. Indios have yet to score a goal this season while San Luis have yet to come across an opponent they've been able to stop. Indios should find San Luis' defense inviting as los Gladiadores have given up 11 goals in four games. But then again, an offense as starved for goals as Indios would have problems scoring against any club.

Prediction: San Luis, 1-0.

SUNDAY

Pumas vs. Estudiantes, 1 p.m. ET

Estudiantes got their much-needed first win of the season over Jaguares a week ago, a result which cost Jaguares manager Luis Fernando Tena his job. Estudiantes failed to reach Copa Libertadores and perhaps that was enough to give the club reason to play well at home. Piecing together a second consecutive victory, however, will be difficult. Pumas are still trying to find themselves this season - the club has only four goals to show for four games - but Pumas will find Estudiantes' undermanned defense to their liking.

Prediction: Pumas, 2-1.

Puebla vs. Pachuca, 1 p.m. ET

The group two duel finds teams at opposite ends of the group; Pachuca are in first place and Puebla are next to last. Los Tuzos arrive from a 2-0 win over San Luis and Puebla with a 1-1 draw against Atlante. Puebla will have a full squad for selection while Pachuca will be without Leobardo Lopez with several others returning from injury. Puebla have held the upper hand at home against Pachuca in recent years, but this season may be different as they have lost both home games while constantly dealing with club problems; meanwhile Pachuca has lost on its only outing this season.

Prediction: Puebla, 2-0

America vs. Cruz Azul, 5:30 p.m. ET

On paper the duel in the Mexican capital makes to be a good show but both teams come into the game with mixed results for the span of the season. America have won both home games but haven’t fared as well away losing both games; in the last league game Las Aguilas lost 1-0 against Atlas in the Jalisco Stadium. Cruz Azul hasn’t held dominance either home or away losing 2-0 against Santos at home. America will have the advantage of being at home and will hope to extend the long streak of wins over Cruz Azul; America have not lost to their foes since the Clausura 2003. However, Cruz Azul also hold some advantage as they will have a full squad available while America will be without Salvador Cabañas, Ismael Rodriguez and Armando Navarrete.

Prediction: Draw, 1-1

Monterrey vs. Tigres, 7:30 p.m. ET

Another edition of the Clasico Regio will take place this weekend with Monterrey surely trying to show their rivals why they are the reigning champions. Both teams will have full squads to compete with to try and win the city rivalry. Monterrey come from a 1-1 draw against Toluca in the Mexican League and a 2-0 loss against Sao Paulo in Brazil in the Copa Libertadores. Tigres head into the game with only one loss this season and a 2-2 draw against Pumas during the weekend. Monterrey last won at home against Tigres in the Apertura 2006 but will do so in the new decade.

Prediction: Monterrey, 1-0.