The Toluca vs Leon Liga MX semifinal will kick-off this Sunday, May 11, 2014 (10:00 AM Pacific) at the Estadio Nemesio Diez. Choriceros and Panzas Verdes will play in the second-leg of this Clausura 2014 semifnal which will ultimately determine the second finalist. Leon has a slight advantage as they won the first-leg at home 1-0.
The team coached by Jose Saturnino Cardozo will have the most important, and also the most difficult match thus far into their Clausura 2014 campaign. They will play in front of their fans a game which they need to win in order to qualify into the grand finale. Toluca had a difficult first game where they were not able to create many scoring chances against Leon who has raised their performances dramatically since being eliminated from the Copa Libertadores.
Although the choriceros lost the first match 0-1, they enter the game as the clear favorites considering they have been the best home team through the season. Last Sunday, Toluca was in a similar situation during the quarterfinals, where they needed to tie 0-0 or defeat Xolos in order to reach the next round. In that game, Toluca demonstrated that they are incredibly dangerous at home, and the same scenario will most likely be present against Leon.
The ‘fiera’ will enter the Nemesio Diez with very high expectations to reach the final for the second straight season. The team coached by Gustavo Matosas has recuperated a level of form similar to that of their winning campaign five months ago. Last week they defeated the top seed Cruz Azul, and this Sunday they expect to defeat the #2 Toluca. Leon can reach the final with a win, a tie, or a one goal loss in which they score a goal (i.e. 1-2, 2-3, etc.).
The winner of the series will face Pachuca in the final which defeated Santos Laguna this Saturday.
Toluca vs Leon Prediction
Toluca has gad a fruitful semester due to their constant high level performances. Not only are they a win away from reaching the Liga MX final, but they also reach the CONCACAF Champions League final just some weeks ago. Unfortunately for them, they lost that final at home to Cruz Azul, and that loss still stings them.
For that reason, the Diablos Rojos will be more than urged to not let another significant loss occur at home. With the necessity of success, Toluca will style an intelligent and relaxed game in which they will play defensively, but will also look to control possession of the ball. That will allow them to take over the dictation of the match, which will make things difficult for the visiting Leon. In a great match, the Toluca vs Leon semifinal will end in a 2-1 win for Toluca; Leon wins on the away goal rule.
Toluca vs Leon TV Schedule
The Toluca vs Leon match will be televised on Univision at 10:00 AM Pacific.
Toluca vs Leon Highlights
The Toluca vs Leon video highlights will be uploaded soon after the end of the game.
