The America vs Toluca Liga MX Week 17 match will take place this Saturday, November 9, 2013 (3:00 PM Pacific) at the Estadio Azteca. America and Toluca have already reserved their spots in the playoffs; Club America is guaranteed to end the season in the #1 spot. However, Toluca is still fighting for a better spot in the standings, in order to get home field advantage in the quarterfinals.
Club America currently sits in first place with 36 points,with home field advantage secured throughout the playoffs, the match against Toluca will simply be about maintaining positive momentum, as there is nothing else to play for. America will be, once again, missing the 10 players that are currently with the Mexican National Team, as well as their head coach, Miguel Herrera.
Under interim head coach Alvaro Galindo, America has won once, tied once, and lost a match. Now, they will face off against a Toluca that is also missing some key players who are off with the Mexican National Team.
Toluca has earned 26 points this season, setting it as the 6th best team in the Liga MX; however, a victory over America, combined with favorable results in other matches, could send Toluca all the way up to third place. That is why getting a victory at the Estadio Azteca is important for the already qualified Toluca.
The Diablos Rojos will have to do this without their starting goalkeeper, Talavera, and their playmaker, Sinha. Both players are training with the Mexican National Team, and won’t be available until the playoffs begin. Furthermore, Toluca hasn’t won since week 13, it will be tough to break the streak against a Club America squad that has won all of its home games.
America vs Toluca Prediction
Both teams are missing key players, and are already qualified to the playoffs, this is likely to be a low-intensity match. Look for America to still play a possession based game, while Toluca sits back to counterattack. The America vs Toluca match will end in a 1-1 draw. After this match, both teams will rest up for 2 weeks until the playoffs start up (scheduled for after the Mexican National Team intercontinental playoffs against New Zealand end).
America vs Toluca Television
The America vs Toluca match will be televised this Saturday, November 9, 2013 on Univision at 3:00 PM Pacific.
