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Liga MX | Gameweek 3
Jul 15, 2023 at 4.10am UK
Estadio Caliente

Tijuana
2 - 1
Cruz Azul

Gonzalez (57'), Cambindo (90+2' og.)
Rodriguez (50')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Rivero (45')
Cambindo (90'), Salcedo (90+5')

Preview: Club Tijuana vs. Cruz Azul - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Liga MX clash between Club Tijuana and Cruz Azul, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Winless at the start of this season's Liga MX campaign, Club Tijuana and Cruz Azul face off at Estadio Caliente on Saturday morning.

Tijuana have netted in their games but have struggled to keep it tight at the back, whereas the visiting side are yet to find the back of the net after 180 minutes of action in this year's Apertura.


Match preview

New Tijuana manager Miguel Herrera© Reuters

Miguel Herrera is still searching for his first win of the season in this year's Apertura, but it is not for the lack of trying.

Tijuana have netted three times in two games but have been let down by their propensity to concede goals, with four let in after two gameweeks.

Los Xolos were defeated 3-2 by Pumas on the opening weekend of action before playing out a 1-1 draw with Club Necaxa last time out.

The latest result rankled because Herrera's men netted with 17 minutes remaining through Carlos Gonzalez, only to be pegged back at the death in second-half stoppage time by Alan Montes' equaliser.

They may feel they are getting closer to securing a first triumph of the campaign and will back themselves to be third-time lucky in the imminent fixture.

Cruz Azul players celebrating their first goal of the game during the first half at Olympic Stadium on March 16, 2022© Reuters

Cruz Azul ostensibly seems to be opponents there for the taking heading into Saturday morning's encounter due to their poor start.

Their latest 2-0 loss at the hands of Toluca means the Machine could match the 2004 Apertura campaign for their worst start to the competition if they are beaten by Tijuana.

Both 2-0 defeats this time have been deserved, with Ricardo Ferretti's men unable to fashion clear opportunities against opponents faced.

The small sample size of games means conclusions cannot be reached after both defeats, but the cellar-dwelling side needs to turn the tide after a poor start to the campaign.

Scoring would be a start, and the fact Cruz Azul have netted in their last 11 meetings with Tijuana gives the away side hope heading into the encounter.

Club Tijuana Liga MX form:
  • L
  • D

Cruz Azul Liga MX form:
  • L
  • L


Team News

Herrera is expected to utilise a 4-2-3-1 as he has done in Tijuana's opening two games, with the home side not having new injury worries to report.

Nicolas Diaz was withdrawn after 31 minutes in the opening gameweek but recovered to start last time out, so the centre-back should play from the off against Cruz Azul.

Ferretti changed his starting approach to a back three against Toluca, having utilised a 4-2-3-1 on the opening gameweek, and it remains to be seen what formation the manager utilises this time.

Sebastian Jurado will play no part at Estadio Caliente due to his sending-off in the 39th minute of the 2-0 defeat - Andres Gudino should deputise for the suspended goalkeeper.


Club Tijuana possible starting lineup:
Corona; Barbosa, Balanta, Diaz, Vega; Rivera, Madrigal; Canelo, Rodriguez, Martinez; Gonzalez

Cruz Azul possible starting lineup:
Gudino; Escobar, Jimenez, Salcedo; Rivero, Castano, Lira, Rotondi; Tabo, Moises; Lotti


SM words green background

We say: Club Tijuana 2-1 Cruz Azul

Tijuana's inability to keep clean sheets means the hosts are expected to concede, but they possess the firepower to outscore Cruz Azul on their turf with a marginal victory.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Tijuana vs Cruz Azul

Club Tijuana
50.0%
Draw
30.0%
Cruz Azul
20.0%
10
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Head coach Miguel Herrera of Mexico looks on from the sideline in the first half during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Mexico and Cameroon at Estadio das Dunas on June 13, 2014
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Cruz AzulCruz Azul17133139122742
2TolucaToluca17105238162235
3Tigres17104325151034
4PumasPumas179442113831
5MonterreyMonterrey179442619731
6Atletico San Luis179352719830
7Club TijuanaTijuana178542425-129
8Club AmericaAmerica178362721627
9CD GuadalajaraGuadalajara177462415925
10Atlas175751723-622
11Club Leon173952123-218
12Juarez1752102236-1417
13NecaxaNecaxa173682026-615
14MazatlanMazatlan172871019-914
15PueblaPuebla1742111731-1414
16PachucaPachuca1734102029-913
17QueretaroQueretaro1733111331-1812
18Santos LagunaSantos Laguna1724111230-1810


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