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The Clásico Nacional is always a special event, and this one promises to be no different. Club América and Chivas Guadalajara face off this Sunday in a regular season clash between the two most popular team in all of Mexico.
Both clubs don’t arrive in the best of circumstances after getting eliminated in the Round of 16 of the Copa MX. That said, it doesn’t take anything away from the magnitude of this match, as it puts together two teams with genuine distaste for each other and with very similar objectives.
América currently sit third in the league table with 20 points and has won each of its last three Liga MX matches. Notwithstanding, coach Miguel Herrera has received plenty of criticism for his team’s performances in recent weeks, and the general feeling is that it is title or bust for the former Mexico National Team manager.
On the other hand, Chivas have enjoyed a smoother transition than expected following Matias Almeyda’s departure back in June. Under Jose Saturnino Cardozo, the Rojiblancos find themselves sitting 11th in the table, and they’ve had some impressive outings in this Apertura, including a 4-2 thumping over Monterrey at the Estadio BBVA Bancomer.
Historically speaking, you have to say the game is definitely up for grabs. Three of the last six head-to-head meetings between these two teams have ended in draws, and Club América have only been able to beat Chivas twice in the last seven Clásicos played at the Estadio Azteca.
As oppose to last week’s Clásico Regiomontano, you’d suspect this match has plenty of goals in it, too. Club América have had an impressive offense, but their defense has left a lot to be desired. Meanwhile, there is definitely an attack-minded feel to Chivas with Cardozo at the helm, especially away from home where they have lost just once this season and have outscored opponents 6-2 across their last three matches.
It might sound like a cliche, but regular season games don’t get bigger than this. This has the potential to be one of the more memorable Clásicos in recent seasons, and there is no better game than this one to put an end to to Week 11 of the 2018 Liga MX Apertura.
Date: Sunday, September 30
Time: 4:00pm Pacific, 6:00pm Central, 7:00pm Eastern
Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
TV: Univision (US-Spanish), TDN (Mexico), Canal de las Estrellas (Mexico)
Streaming: fuboTV (Free trial + monthly subscription)