Mexican Primera 2011 Apertura, Week 16 Preview And Schedule: Top Sides Face Off For Liguilla Seeding

With seven teams on the outside of Liguilla within just three points of eighth placed Monterrey, Jornada 16 of the 2011 Apertura is still very much about the race for the playoffs. However, most eyes will not be on the race for the bottom spots, but on a couple of matchups between top Liguilla-placed sides, as well as a Guadalajara derby. Chivas play their third rivalry game in four matches as they take on Club Atlas in the Clasico Tapatio.

Saturday, 6:00 pm ET

TV: Azteca America, FOX Deportes

Pumas currently sit in third place in the table, while Jaguares are sitting in fifth. It would take an incredible collapse for either to miss out on the playoffs all together, so this is likely a showdown for Liguilla seeding. Both teams have had serious ups and downs during this tournament, but it’s Pumas who are currently in better form.

Pumas defeated Atlante mid-week, while Jaguares put in a poor performance on the road against Tijuana. Though no one is ever safe anywhere in Mexico, these are two teams who have shown a difference between their home and road performances. While Pumas are great at home, they’ve been terrible on the road in this tournament, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Jaguares rebound from last week.

Pick: 2-1 Jaguares

Saturday, 8:00 pm ET

TV: Telemundo

Santos have not done well with Oribe Peralta playing in the Pan-American Games, taking one point from their last two matches with him out of the lineup, but they’ve done enough to stay in Liguilla places and will get him back for the games that really matter, provided they don’t completely fall apart and get unlucky in regards to other results. Christian Suarez, Darwin Quintero and Daniel Ludueña will need to up their games in his absence.

Tigres played to maintain their position last week, as they seemed content with a draw in the Clasico Regiomontano against Monterrey. They then fell to Chivas in a poorly played match on the road. At home, in a match that is not a Clasico against a team missing their best forward, Tigres will be more likely to attack. Danilinho and Lucas Lobos are both healthy, but Manuel Viniegra is suspended.

Pick: 2-1 Tigres

Saturday, 8:00 pm ET

TV: Telefutura

These two teams sit in seventh and eighth, but the gap between them and the teams outside of Liguilla is too small for them to consider a gentleman’s draw. Monterrey have the likes of Humberto Suazo and Carlos Delgado in their attacking ranks, but their attack has been absolutely anemic as of late. They hardly created any chances against a conservative Tigres last week, looking just as poor going forward as they did in their 3-0 loss to Club America. They beat Atlas mid-week...but that’s Atlas. There are Liga de Ascenso teams who could easily beat Atlas at the moment.

Pachuca drew Morelia 2-2 in a thriller mid-week, and with Monterrey’s attack and their home form, they will have to feel like there are three points there for the taking. Mauro Cejas and Elias Hernandez are in excellent form for Pachuca, and they will be on the attack on Saturday night.

Pick: 1-0 Pachuca

Saturday, 9:45 pm ET

TV: Galavision

It’s worth mentioning because it’s a Clasico...but is it really worth mentioning? The Chivas fans might be a bit forgiving of a poor performance after big wins over Tecos, America and Tigres, but Atlas are a bad team. There will be no excuses for anything but a dominating win. That is, unless Chivas decides to rest their stars and play a youth team.

Pick: 2-0 Chivas

Other Matches

Atlante vs. Monarcas Morelia - Saturday, 10:00 pm ET

Toluca vs Queretaro - Sunday, 1:00 pm ET

Estudiantes Tecos vs. Cruz Azul - Sunday, 2:00 pm ET

Club Tijuana vs. San Luis - Sunday, 4:00 pm ET

Club America vs. Puebla - Sunday, 6:00 pm ET