The Toluca vs Atlante match will decide whether Toluca regains the first place spot in the Liga MX, or Xolos retains it for another week. The match will be held this Sunday, September 22, 2012 at 1:00 PM EDT at Estadio Nemesio Diez. Atlante is coming in to this match after losing at home against Xolos 2-0, and are looking to rebound from that loss. Toluca now have three games without winning, it seems they have run out of steam after starting off the season with five wins. Will Toluca regain the first place spot in the Liga MX, or will Atlante solidify its playoff chances?
Toluca lost its first game of the season last week, when they visited Chiapas and were surprised by a Jaguares team that defeated them 2-0. That made it three games in a row where Toluca has been unable to win. However, they are still a dangerous team that can regain the lead of the Liga MX with a win against Atlante. Toluca is a well-balanced team that is still undefeated at home, with a record of three wins and one draw. La Volpe is going to have to use all of his coaching tricks if he wants his team to come out of la bombonera with a win.
Atlante were on a five game undefeated streak that ended last week when they lost at home against Xolos. La Volpe has done a great job coaching this team that no one expected would be in playoff contention. La Volpe has based his team around a strong defensive structure, which is supported by the opportunistic goal-scoring of Esteban Paredes (who leads the Liga MX goal scoring tally with six goals). Atlante is definitely capable of playing toe-to-toe against Toluca, and a Toluca win is not a given.
Prediction: Toluca is on a bit of a bad run, having gone three games without a win, and displaying their worst play in last week’s loss. Atlante also lost last week, more due to the good play of Xolos rather than their own mistakes. I expect La Volpe will once again arrange his team in a defensive formation. When you combine this with Toluca’s recent mini-bad run, you have a recipe for a draw. The Toluca vs Atlante match will end in a 1-1 draw, and Xolos retains the first place in the Liga MX standings.
Television: The Toluca vs Atlante match will be televised at 1:00 PM EDT this Sunday on Univision.
