One team is in seventh place in the league table, while the other is off to the worst season start in club history and currently sits in eighteenth place -- dead last -- in the league. The two come together as Monterrey hosts Chivas de Guadalajara this Saturday at Estadio Tecnologico.
After five weeks of this year's Clausura, Chivas holds the worst record in the league, earning one point out of fifteen possible, and only scoring twice while conceding eight goals. On Saturday evening, Guadalajara will try to earn their long-awaited first win of the season on a difficult field. During the week Chivas began their participation in Copa Libertadores, earning a last minute draw against Deportivo Quito. The tie, as sad as it sounds, may have given the team a bit of confidence heading into the game against Monterrey. Another boost in the Chivas locker room is the return of one of the team's top players, Marco Fabian, who has been sorely missed in the Chivas starting eleven. Though Fabian is ready to play, he will most likely start the game on the bench. But even just having him as an option is a good sign for coach Ignacio Ambriz.
Meanwhile, Monterrey comes into the game sitting in seventh place of the league table with eight points. Monterrey coach Victor Manuel Vucetich has stated that his dynamic duo of Aldo De Nigris and Humberto Suazo may start the game against the goats. The Suazo-De Nigris duo is a formidable partnership that has brought Vucetich many victories in the past. Another deadly player in the Rayados attack is Walter Ayovi, who this season leads Monterrey in goals, and has already stated that it will be exiting to score against the popular Chivas.
Statistically the game looks fairly one-sided, and Monterrey comes in as heavy favorites to win. Chivas will go into “La Sultana del norte” and try to pick up their heads, and somehow find a way to break out of the horrible winless streak that has so far defined the season.
Monterrey injuries/suspensions: Ricardo Osorio
Chivas injuries/suspensions: Miguel Ponce