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After a very long international break, Liga MX is back in full swing. Only six weeks remain before the end of the regular season, and for several teams, now is the time to start earning points.
Week 12's Saturday batch of matches kick off with two teams at the top-half of the table. Second-place Monterrey pay a visit to Cruz Azul, whose unbeaten run now extends to eight straight league games. If the Cementeros are going to think of doing well in the Liguilla, then they need to win matches like their visit of Pachuca.
A statement in that regard, victory over league-leaders Monterrey a few weeks ago was important, but the Cementeros have struggled to win games against teams at the top-half of the table. Pachuca are a tough side to beat, only Atlas and Santos Laguna have managed to win against the Tuzos, and with Hirving Lozano, who thrilled Mexico fans with his performance against Canada, full of confidence, they will be a tough test for Cruz Azul.
Speaking of clashes in the top-half of the table, Leon will play host to Monterrey at the Estadio Nou Camp on Saturday. Despite being in fourth place with 19 points from 11 matches, there is a certain expectation from home fans to play an attacking brand of futbol. Luis Fernando Tena, who replaced Juan Antonio Pizzi in week 5, has had a tough time winning over fans, and victory over the league leaders would be a massive boost.
But if we are talking about attacking firepower, Monterrey have plenty of it. Star midfielder Edwin Cardona was on showcase for Colombia during the international break and undoubtedly won plenty of admirers. The key issue, however, will be whether Monterrey will be able to bounce back from their woeful showing against Chivas. Momentum is always important heading into the Liguilla, and they can't afford to let anymore games slip.
Finally, the week will end with Chivas taking on Pumas UNAM. It's been 34 years since the Universitarios last won a game in Jalisco, but if Chivas' victory from two weeks ago showed us anything it is that the Liga MX can be entirely unpredictable. Pumas sit just one point away from a playoff spot but while they are unbeaten in their last eight league games, only two are wins.
Meanwhile, Chivas will believe their push for a playoff spot is not over, despite the four points between them and eighth place. Wins, at this point of the season, are vital. History is on their side, and coach Matias Almeyda will hope that can inspire Chivas to victory at home.
Below, you can find the full list of games and their time.
Week 12 Schedule (all times ET)
Friday 4/1
Toluca vs. Santos Laguna - Friday, 10:30 p.m., Univision Deportes Network and Univision Deportes En Vivo(Streaming) and fuboTV (Free trial + monthly subscription)
Xolos de Tijuana vs. Queretaro - Friday, 11:30 p.m., TV Azteca
Saturday 4/2
Cruz Azul vs. Pachuca - Saturday, 7 p.m., Univision and Univision Deportes Network and Univision Deportes En Vivo(Streaming) and fuboTV (Free trial + monthly subscription)
Tigres vs. Atlas - Saturday, 9 p.m., Univision Deportes Network and Univision Deportes En Vivo(Streaming) and fuboTV (Free trial + monthly subscription)
Leon vs. Monterrey- Saturday, 10:06 p.m., NBC Universo
Morelia vs. Puebla - Saturday, 10:30 p.m., TV Azteca
Chiapas vs. Club America - Saturday, 11 p.m., Univision Deportes Network and Univision Deportes En Vivo(Streaming) and fuboTV (Free trial + monthly subscription)
Sunday 4/3
Chivas vs. Pumas UNAM - Sunday, 9:30 p.m., Unimas and Univision Deportes Network and Univision Deportes En Vivo(Streaming) and fuboTV (Free trial + monthly subscription)