Chivas de Guadalajara will have their home opener against Santos Laguna at Estadio Omnilife, July 29, 2012 at 6:00
PM EST. This match will mark the first time that a game will be played at the Omnilife without synthetic turf, as the new management by Johann Cruyff voted to remove the turf and substitute it with real grass. This match will be a strong contest for both Chivas and Santos, and it will one of the top clashes to watch during Week 2 of the Apertura 2012 of the new Liga MX.
Chivas is coming from one of its most embarrassing and unsuccessful moments in its 106 year old history as they have not had a victory in an official match in the last four months, having a negative streak of six straight loses. During Week 1 against Toluca, Chivas had a poor first half in which they allowed two easy goals and a fair second half but it was not enough and they left with a loss. For the match against Santos, the Rebaño can expect to have one of its toughest contests of the league. They face a team that just last season took first place in the regular season standings, won the Liguilla, and took second place in the CONCACAF Champions league.
Santos Laguna faced a tamed San Luis in the first week of the season, and although they did not play great soccer, their great talent was enough to come out victorious with a 2-1 win in front of their home crowd at the TSM. For week 2, Santos will face a team under ‘construction’ but which can be very dangerous. However, if Santos plays their style, they will come out victorious of the Omnilife which would give Chivas their 7th straight loss.
Prediction: I believe the match will be one of the best on paper for Week 2. Any match that includes Chivas always has an extra spice; plus Santos is the team to beat this season as the reigning champions. IF Santos plays the ball like they know, they will come out victorious with a one goal advantage, but if this is not the case Chivas could hurt the Santos defense with attackers Rafael Marquez Lugo and Omar Arellano. I predict that the game will end in a draw where Chivas will play very reserved to not keep the negative streak alive. The score will be Chivas 1-1 Santos.
Television: Chivas will play their home games this season under a new day and time. Under Jorge Vergara, the goats usually played on Saturday nights, but one of the changes Johann Cruyff made was to change the schedule so Guadalajara could play on the Mexican league prime-time. Sunday, 6:00 PM EST, Telemundo.
Will Chivas come out of the losing streak?
