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And so, the Estadio Chivas in Jalisco will play host to the first 90 minutes of what promises to be a memorable Clasico Nacional quarterfinal tie. Chivas and America have won 11 and 12 league titles respectively, a history of success that is still unmatched in Liga MX and underscores everything you need to know about this rivalry.
Chivas has clearly read the script for how to win a Liga MX title. They are the red-hot team at the moment, finishing the season unbeaten in their last seven league games. After a season in which Chivas didn't win their first game of the season until week 9, Matias Almeyda has done a superb job in front of the team, and Jorge Vergara's confidence on the young Argentina coach has so far been validated.
Club America, on the other hand, are not in the best of forms. Having fallen all the way down to fourth, Ignacio Ambriz's side finished the season winless in their last four league games.
If they showed us anything in their last championship clinching season, however, it is that late regular season slumps are irrelevant. In the 2014 Apertura, Las Aguilas also ended the regular season winless in their last four games before eventually lifting the trophy at the mythical Estadio Azteca.
In addition, Las Aguilas have the historical edge. In the last five meetings between these two in the Liguilla, Las Aguilas have came out on top four times. They also took maximum points in their regular season meeting, beating Chivas 2-1.
As rivalries go, it doesn't get bigger than this in Mexico. Welcome to the Liga MX Liguilla.
Match date/time: Thursday 10pm EST, 9pm local
Venue: Estadio Chivas, Zapopan, Mexico
TV: Univision Deportes Network
Streaming: Univision Deportes En Vivo and fuboTV (Free trial + monthly subscription)