In week 8 of the Liga MX Clausura 2017 Tigres UANL will host Monarcas Morelia at the Estadio Universitario this Saturday, February 25, 2017 (5:00 PM Pacific). Both teams need the three points from the game for distinct reasons, Tigres to make the playoffs and Morelia to avoid relegation this tournament.
Tigres UANL is coming off a big 3-0 win away from home against Veracruz in week 7 of the Clausura. The felines also had a mid-week encounter against Pumas UNAM in the CONCACAF Champions League which ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw. Andre-Pierre Gignac finally got his first goal of the tournament in that game against Veracruz and Eduardo Vargas scored in the game against Pumas UNAM. Everything seems to be coming together for the current-champions after a rough start to the Clausura. Before the match against Veracruz last Friday, the ‘regios’ were coming off three straight scoreless losses. Ricardo Ferretti’s side have struggled to score in this Clausura only scoring in two league matches.
The times where Tigres UANL has managed to score, the team has looked great. First achieving a 4-2 win against Club America in week 3 of the competition and most recently that 3-0 victory over Veracruz. The Felines have had injury problems as well with goalkeepers Nahuel Guzman and Enrique Palos out, leaving the inexperienced Aaron Fernandez in net. It has been a tricky campaign for manager Ricardo Ferretti and company, but players like Guido Pizarro have remained consistent throughout the Clausura. Hopefully the inconsistent performers like Gignac, Ismael Sosa and Lucas Zelayaran can get it together. This match-up against relegation side, Monarcas Morelia should not be complicated for the current champions.
Monarcas Morelia is in danger in falling to the Ascenso MX after this Clausura 2017 is all said and done. ‘La Monarquia’ are coming off a 2-1 loss to Toluca at home, which is a big blow to the team, because the game was at home. Morelia is the only team fighting relegation which does not seem to get the results at home which may be the team’s downfall. Chiapas and Veracruz have achieved important wins at home in this Clausura, while Morelia has only achieved one win at the Estadio Morelos. The team from Michoacán has also suffered away from home only obtaining one win as well, this match at ‘el volcan’ will not be any easier.
The Monarcas have not looked bad tactically obtaining a high 77.3 pass accuracy and 70.2 percent ball possession collectively as a team. But the defense is where the team has really failed not looking great with Emanuel Loeschbor and some of the new signings. The fact that Carlos Adrian Morales hasn’t been featured in the starting 11 recently is also worrying as the veteran is a good team player to have in these troubling times. Some players have stepped up for this relegation candidate like the case of Rodrigo Millar and Andy Polo in the midfield. This team seems destined for doom, both in this game and in terms of relegation. This will be an important match for both teams looking to sum up points in this Clausura.
How to Watch Tigres UANL vs Monarcas Morelia
The Tigres UANL vs Monarcas Morelia match will be broadcast this Saturday, February 25 at 5:00 PM Pacific:
TV Schedule: Univision Deportes
Watch Online: Sling TV, Fubo TV
Watch Live Online: SlingTV (Watch 7 Days Free), FuboTV (Watch 7 Days Free)
