The last game during week 8 of the Liga MX Clausura 2017 will have Santos Laguna host Necaxa at the Estadio Corona this Sunday, February 26, 2017 (4:00 PM Pacific). This match will be one of the most noteworthy games of the ‘jornada’ as both sides are strong playoff caliber teams.
With Monterrey falling 2-0 to Club Tijuana on Friday, Santos Laguna is the only undefeated team left in the Liga MX Clausura 2017. The ‘guerreros’ have accumulated two wins and five draws for 11 points, good for fifth place in the Clausura tournament. Santos’ most recent result consisted of an impressive 5-0 win over FC Coras in the Copa MX. While Coras is a second division club, it is one of the premier Ascenso MX teams.
Jose Manuel de la Torre counted with five different goal-scorers in that game with Ulises Davila, Jonathan Rodriguez, Djaniny Tavares, Diego de Buen and Osvaldo Martinez all scoring in that game. While ‘la comarca’ is undefeated, they have not won in their last three games, tying in all those encounters. Necaxa can prove to be a tough opponent, due to its defensive style of play. Santos has done well offensively in this tournament, scoring at least a goal in the last six games, the standout performer being, Jonathan Rodriguez having scored three goals in the competition.
Santos’ young core of youth starters has also been vital to Success of the club. Gerardo Arteaga, Ulises Rivas, Walter Sandoval and Jorge Sanchez have all made an impact on the team, despite their age. Sandoval most notably has been the ‘guerreros’ best play-maker, providing four assists on the campaign. Santos should be able to come away with a win from the game, but it will be a tough match.
Necaxa got the best of Santos Laguna the last time these two teams faced each other, the match coming in the Apertura 2016, where the ‘rayos’ beat the ‘guerreros’ by a score of 2-1 at the Estadio Victoria. Necaxa does not appear to be the same team as in the Apertura 2016, despite having virtually the same squad.
The real problem lies in the defense which ids the focal point of Alfonso Sosa’s play. If the defense cannot perform, of course, the results are not going to be favorable. Most recently the team from Aguascalientes fell 4-1 to Queretaro in week 7 of the Clausura. The result is worrying as Necaxa is revered for its defense, while Queretaro is a team that had not scored in the first four weeks of the tournament.
Edson Puch has been a bright spot as of late, as he did score the lone goal against Queretaro and had an impressive game against Club Tijuana in week 6 of the competition. The defense and Edson Puch will need to be in top form for Alfonso Sosa’s side to come away with a favorable result in this match. The game should be a contested encounter between two teams that could find their way into the playoffs.
How to Watch Santos Laguna vs Necaxa
The Santos Laguna vs Necaxa match will be broadcast this Sunday, February 26 at 4:00 PM Pacific:
TV Schedule: Info will be updated soon
Watch Live Online: Info will be updated soon
