Jason Collins
Dailysports's expert
Since Monday will see almost no football action, I've turned my attention to the Mexican Apertura, where Monterrey will face off against Club Leon. Who will come out on top in this matchup?
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Monterrey
The “Striped” team hasn't delivered spectacular results this season, but they currently sit within the top six. To maintain this position and secure a spot directly in the quarterfinals without extra matches, a win here is highly desirable. In the last round, Monterrey delivered a resounding 4-0 victory over Atlas at home, with Canales scoring twice and Ocampos providing three assists.
While the team has lacked consistency in both results and performance, the playoffs can always change the story, where previous outcomes carry less weight.
Club Leon
The “Lions” are having a challenging season, ranking 11th in the standings, with their hopes for a top-10 finish hanging by a thread. Leon’s path to the playoffs requires a win in this final match, combined with a loss by competitor Atlas in their away game against the unmotivated Necaxa.
In their last outing, Leon couldn’t secure a win at home, playing to a scoreless draw with a less formidable Mazatlán. The match left an impression as Leon missed two penalty opportunities. The team is now on an eight-game unbeaten streak, although five of those ended in draws.
Probable Lineups
- Monterrey: Andrada, Arteaga, Moreno, Guzmán, Medina, Fimbres, Ambriz, Canales, Torres, Ocampos, Berterame.
- Club Leon: Blanco, Nuerra, Barreiro, Bellon, Reyes, Estrada, Moreno, Guardado, Mendoza, Cabral, Caduce.
Head-to-Head
Historical data on these teams’ meetings show a trend of home advantage, as seen in their most recent game when Leon emerged victorious 2-0 on their home turf.
Prediction
Monterrey enters this matchup as the favorite, due to the home advantage and a higher position in the standings. However, I’m expecting a low-scoring game and will place my bet on the total being under 3 goals.
