View the Santos 2-1 Cruz Azul highlights here.
The Santos vs Cruz Azul match will take place on Friday, November 3, 2012 at 11:30 PM EDT at the TSM in Torreon. Santos needs a win to maintain its playoffs hopes alive, while Cruz Azul clinches a playoff spot with a win. Will Santos recover from its bad streak, or will it be eliminated by Cruz Azul?
Santos- winning is the only option
Santos currently has 20 points and finds itself in the 9th place of the Liga MX standings, with just two games left in the season, Santos must win both games to have a shot at the playoffs. There are three other teams with 20 points, with so much competition, Santos would surely be eliminated from playoff contention with a draw or loss against Cruz Azul.
Santos looked like a solid playoff contender four weeks ago, when they defeated Atlas. However, since then, Santos has tied twice and lost twice (losses in the last two games). Santos’ defense has allowed seven goals in the last two matches, and facing a resurgent Cruz Azul offense won’t help. Santos has a very tough game at hand.
Cruz Azul- a draw likely enough for a playoff spot
Cruz Azul is in 5th place with 25 points, a win clinches a playoff spot, although a draw against Santos is likely enough to secure a spot. Furthermore, Cruz Azul has an outside chance at a Copa Libertadores berth, it would need to surpass both America and Leon (27 points each). However, it’s likely that Vazquez will be satisfied if his team earns a draw.
A team that had been mediocre for most of the season, Cruz Azul is having a strong finish and is positioning itself as a potential candidate for a deep run in the playoffs. Cruz Azul is on a five game undefeated streak, winning three and drawing twice. Furthermore, last week’s 3-0 victory over Toluca proved that Cruz Azul is a firm candidate for, at the very least, a spot in the playoffs. Can Cruz Azul finish off Santos and make a late run for a Copa Libertadores spot?
Prediction: The Santos vs Cruz Azul match will be an intense encounter that should resemble a playoff match. For Santos, this is a win or be eliminated scenario, and the team will be playing as if it were a championship match. Cruz Azul is on a hot streak, and will want to continue the good run for the rest of the season and into the playoffs. The Santos vs Cruz Azul match will end in a tight 1-1 draw that eliminates Santos from the playoff spots.
Television: The Santos vs Cruz Azul game will be televised on Univision Deportes on Friday, November 3, 2012 at 11:30 PM EDT.
