By DANIEL PRICE
After Liga MX clubs suffered a disappointing week of continental football in the Copa Libertadores and CONCACAF Champions League, this weekend’s fixtures provide a chance for the sides to get back to winning ways against domestic opposition.
The most exciting fixture of the weekend is arguably the head-to-head between the relegation-threatened Veracruz and Atlas. A win for either side would give them a massive boost heading into the final six games, whereas defeat could see them finish the weekend on the bottom of the relegation table.
Veracruz enter the game on the back of a dramatic stoppage time win against Club Leon, while Atlas was frustrated to let the two goal lead slip away at home to Chiapas. The third side in the relegation battle is Atlante, and the Azulgranas are the most in-form of the three. After picking up 10 points from a possible 12 and seeing striker Michael Arroyo score four times last weekend they will be confident of getting something from a tough away game against Pumas UNAM.
Elsewhere, Club America will want to put in a good performance against Chiapas to ease the growing pressure on Antonio Mohamed, Cruz Azul host Club Tijuana in an attempt to avoid a third successive defeat in all competitions, and if Queretaro lose to second-place Toluca they could find themselves in last place by Sunday evening.
Here’s a full rundown of this weekend’s Liga MX schedule, complete with TV listings. (Please note that Mexico has not yet adjusted its clocks for Daylight Savings Time):
FRIDAY
9.30pm – Queretaro vs. Toluca – Azteca America/ESPN Deportes
SATURDAY
7pm – Veracruz vs. Atlas – Univision
7pm – Cruz Azul vs. Club Tijuana – Univision Deportes
9pm – Monterrey vs. Morelia – Univision Deportes
9pm – Santos Laguna vs. Pachuca – Galavision
11pm – Chiapas vs. Club America – Univision Deportes
SUNDAY
2pm – Puebla vs. Tigres UANL – Azteca America/ESPN Deportes
2pm – Pumas UNAM vs. Atlante – Univision Deportes/Univision
7pm – Chivas de Guadalajara vs. Club Leon – UniMás/Univision Deportes