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The Liga MX playoffs kick off on Wednesday with Club America taking on Leon at the Estadio Azteca. For the eighth straight season in a row, Las Aguilas are in the playoffs and therefore one of the favorites to win it all. But they might not have the easiest path to the final, as they take on Juan Antonio Pizzi's Leon.
The Guanajuato outfit finished the regular season as the third best team and served Club America a warning back in late September when they beat Las Aguilas 3-0 at the Estadio Nou Camp. The big question, though, is if they can win without star players Carlos Alberto "Gullit" Peña and Mauro Boselli, who both picked up knocks during the weekend.
Meanwhile, Chiapas has emerged as one of the Liguilla's surprise packages after ending the campaign with four straight wins. Beyond being the in-form team in Liga MX, they also finished the season unbeaten at home.
And yet, they face a tough task against Andre-Pierre Gignac and the high-spending Tigres. Ricardo Ferretti's team haven't lost in the league since late September, and given the nature of their squad, they have plenty to conquer this year's trophy.
There's also league leaders Pumas UNAM taking on Veracruz. The Universitarios are the Liga MX's main challengers after finishing the regular season with the most goals scored at 37. Pumas' triumphant regular season came courtesy of their effective counterattacking style,and the brilliance of Ismael Sosa and Fidel Martinez on the wing.
Finally, there is Toluca vs. Puebla. The latter returns to the playoffs after a six year absence and presents an awkward challenge for the Diablos Rojos. Under Pablo Marini, Puebla has transformed from a team full of outcasts into a side that can give anyone a game. But Toluca are no slouch, and led by Enrique Triverio and Fernando Uribe, they can make a compelling case in the playoffs. The pair combined for 19 of Touca's goals this season.
Quarterfinal schedule (all times ET)
First legs
No. 6 Club America vs. No. 3 Leon - Wednesday, 8 p.m., Univision Deportes Network and Univision Deportes En Vivo (Streaming)
No. 5 Tigres UANL vs. No. 4 Chiapas - Wednesday, 10 p.m., Univision Deportes Network and Univision Deportes En Vivo (Streaming)
No. 8 Veracruz vs. No. 1 Pumas UANM - Thursday, 8 p.m., Univision Deportes Network and Univision Deportes En Vivo (Streaming)
No. 7 Puebla vs. No. 2 Toluca - Thursday, 10 p.m., Univision Deportes Network and Univision Deportes En Vivo (Streaming)
Second legs
Chiapas vs. Tigres UANL - Saturday, 7 p.m., Univision Deportes Network and and Univision Deportes En Vivo (Streaming)
Leon vs. Club America - Saturday, 9:06 p.m., Telemundo and NBC Universo
Pumas UNAM vs. Veracruz - Sunday, 1 p.m., Univision and Univision Deportes Network and and Univision Deportes En Vivo (Streaming)
Toluca vs. Puebla - Sunday, 6 p.m., Univision Deportes Network and Univision Deportes En Vivo (Streaming)