This Saturday, August 19, 2017 (3:00 PM Pacific) Cruz Azul will host Atlas at the Estadio Azul for a game in the fifth round of matches in the Liga MX Apertura 2017. Both teams have potential to fight for a playoff spot but also have their fair share of problems that could impede a decent run in this tournament.
The Cruz Azul vs Atlas match will be broadcast this Saturday, August 19 at 3:00 PM Pacific:
TV Schedule: Univision Deportes
Watch Live Online: Sling TV (Watch 7 Days Free), Fubo TV (Watch 7 Days Free)
Cruz Azul vs Atlas 2017 Preview
Cruz Azul is undefeated in this Apertura 2017, currently in eighth with six points but has not won a game since the first round of matches. La Maquina’s only win this season came in the first week of action against Club Tijuana away from home. The win was a solid 2-0 result but since then the Mexico City team has tied against Chivas, Leon and Toluca. Paco Jemez will look to break this string of draws with a win but will be facing a very tough opponent.
Some of the off season signings have panned out for Paco Jemez as Edgar Mendez has two goals and Felipe Mora has one goal in just 137 minutes of play. Cruz Azul does find its chances but must be clinical to get a favorable result and with the problems Atlas has in the midfield, it is very likely that a few chances will be generated throughout the encounter for Los Cementeros.
Atlas had a drastic momentum shift in the last week that may propel the team to a downward spiral and ruin the decent start it had to the season. The team from Guadalajara started off the Apertura with two impressive victories, first, a 3-0 away win against Leon, then a 2-1 win against Pumas UNAM at the Estadio Jalisco.
After that, it was all downhill from there as Los Rojinegros lost 3-2 against Toluca and more recently 1-0 against Club America. To add insult to injury both games were lost with goals in the final few minutes of the encounters. Jose Cruz also lost Clifford Aboagye due to injury recently and it looks like the Cameroonian player may miss up to five months. Of Course, club captain Rafael Marquez is also set to miss the rest of the season due to links with a drug trafficking organization.
These are huge blows to Atlas and leave the midfield vulnerable defensively, which could be the team’s downfall for the rest of the Apertura. The offense is still very potent for Atlas with players like Matias Alustiza and Milton Caraglio but it may not be enough to carry this dismantled team against a tough opponent away from home.
