The Xolos vs Tigres Liga MX Week 15 match will take place this Friday, October 25, 2013 (7:30 PM Pacific) at the Estadio Caliente in beautiful Tijuana. Both these teams are sitting 4 points behind the 8th placed team in the league, and must win this match in order to retain realistic hopes of going to the playoffs.
Xolos has been one of the best home teams in the Liga MX (third best to be exact), earning 15 points out of a possible 21 at home, and one of only two teams still undefeated at home (the other being America). Although Almiron has continued El Turco’s tradition of a strong home team, he has been unable to find away to allow Xolos to earn away points. In that aspect, Tijuana is the second worst in the league, having earned only 2 points out of a possible 21 away points.
With just three matches remaining, and trailing 8th placed Jaguares by 4 points, Xolos must secure a win against Tigres, any other result would end the season. After last week’s disappointing 0-0 draw at Toluca, in a match where Tijuana had one extra man for 60 minutes, Xolos must come up big against Tigres.
Tigres finds itself in a similar situation to Xolos, needing to win, although they do have one extra game at hand, the Week 1 match against America, which is scheduled for October 29th. Tigres would earn very little with a draw, although a draw would still keep them alive. It will be interesting to see what type of lineup and strategy Tuca uses in Tijuana.
Xolos vs Tigres Prediction
Xolos is undefeated at home and will play against a Tigres squad that is very similar to Xolos (i.e. mediocre). With all of the Tijuana players back from injury, playing at home where they are still undefeated, I expect Xolos to come out with a slim victory. Nonetheless, Tigres is still a somewhat strong team, and Lucas Lobos will be a player to be feared. The Xolos vs Tigres match will end in a 2-1 victory for Almiron’s squad.
As a side note, I am very conflicted by Almiron’s performance this season. On one hand, he turned a team that almost defeated Atletico Mineiro in Brazil into a weak squad that couldn’t beat Chivas or a 10-man Toluca in away games. He is clearly nowhere near the level of Turco Mohamed. However, his team is undefeated at home, and he qualified to the quarterfinals of the Concachampions (where we will face LA Galaxy). Furthermore, Tijuana suffered with extensive injuries for most of the season.
One part of me wants Almiron to be fired and replaced by a proven coach, like Vucetich, or Tomas Boy (ideally, it would be Turco returning to TJ). However, analyzing the season, and looking at the way the ownership runs the club, I am extremely confident that Almiron will remain for the Clausura 2014. Whether this is bad or good, only time will tell. What I am sure, though, is that Tijuana will not go to the playoffs. Xolos would need to win all three remaining games, and I just don’t see that happening- the big chance came against a 10-man Toluca, and Almiron squandered it.
Xolos vs Tigres Television
The Xolos vs Tigres match will be televised this Friday, October 25, 2013 on Azteca America at 7:30 PM Pacific.
