Cruz Azul vs Toluca 2012 – Liga MX Week 15

Cruz Azul vs Tigres Copa MX
Flickr - stadiumguide

View the Cruz Azul 3 -0 Toluca highlights here.

The Cruz Azul vs Toluca match will be held at the Estadio Azul on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 6:00 PM EDT. Both teams have been playing well the past couple of games, and this encounter should provide top quality soccer. Cruz Azul needs a win to maintain itself in the playoff spots, while Toluca would need to win to guarantee it continues on top of the Liga MX. Who will win this match between two teams that will likely be in the playoffs?

Cruz Azul – a win virtually guarantees a playoff spot

Cruz Azul currently has 22 points and is located in the 6th spot of the standings; however, it is closely followed by teams in the 7th-12th spots. A win would put Cruz Azul at 25 points and virtually guarantee itself a spot in the playoffs with just two more games left to play in the regular season. A draw or loss puts Cruz Azul at risk of being overtaken in the standings by teams like Santos or Monterrey. The two teams that Cruz Azul will finish off the season against.

Cruz Azul vs Toluca 2012
Cruz Azul vs Toluca, Flickr - stadiumguide

Cruz Azul has been quite effective during the past four games, they have won twice at home and tied twice away. Last week, Cruz Azul traveled to Tijuana and brought home a point, quite a task considering that Xolos is arguably the best home team in the Liga MX. The game against Toluca will be the real test as to whether Cruz Azul will be a legitimate contender to win the title, or just good enough to get into the playoffs.

Toluca- top contender to win the Liga MX championship

Toluca is the best team in the Liga MX, without a doubt. Meza has done an excellent job with his team, leading them to 29 points (tied for 1st with Xolos, but with an extra game at hand). They are pretty much guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, and are now fighting for first place spot and a berth in the Copa Libertadores. A win against Cruz Azul basically assures Toluca a spot in the Copa Libertadores.

Toluca bounced back from the 1-0 loss at the Estadio Caliente against Xolos, by crushing Santos in a 4-1 victory at home. Toluca played down a man for most of the match, but never lost control and were clearly superior. Toluca crushed the defending Liga MX champions easily, a team that had been playing well recently. Meza and his squad proved that they are the team to beat in the playoffs, and anything other than an appearance in the championship series would be a disappointment.

Prediction: The Cruz Azul vs Toluca match will be a close game between two teams likely to be in the playoffs. Cruz Azul needs a win that would take the pressure off the last two games of the season. Toluca will want to continue its league-leading play and stay on top. The Cruz Azul vs Toluca match will end in a 1-1 draw. Vazquez will likely setup Cruz Azul in a defensive style, and Toluca will not be disappointed with a draw.

Television: The Cruz Azul vs Toluca match will be televised on Fox Deportes on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 6:00 PM EDT.