By: Jonny Rico
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Week 7 of the Clausura 2015 season of LIGA Bancomer MX is highlighted with the ‘Big Four’ facing each other. League leaders Cruz Azul host Chivas of Guadalajara on Saturday afternoon while reigning champions Club America pay a visit to cross town rivals Pumas UNAM.

FRIDAY:

Morelia vs Puebla – 8:30pm EST / 5;30pm PST

The weekend kicks off with relegation threaten Puebla FC visiting the absolute worst team in the league Monarcas Morelia. The host finished last season in last place of the league table and have once again taken up the same position this tournament. Puebla are not doing so hot themselves and must take advantage of this opportunity to add points. Puebla are currently second from bottom in the percentage table only slightly above Leones Negros.

Veracruz vs Toluca – 9:30pm EST / 6:30pm PST

Host Veracruz are also involved in the fight to avoid relegation and have had a decent start to the season. It is only one of two teams that remain undefeated thus far in the Clausura 2015; although most matches have ended in a draw. The (2-4-0) record has been good enough to keep Veracruz in fifth place of the league table but more importantly above Chivas of Guadalajara, Puebla FC and Leones Negros in the percentage table. Toluca rides its inconsistent (2-3-1) record and looks to remain in the playoff zone as the halfway mark of the Clausura approaches.

 

Santos Laguna vs Atlas FC – 10:30pm PST / 7:30pm PST

After a slow start Santos have begun to pick up the pace and have reached the fourth position in the league table. A dramatic last minute goal saved a draw for Santos last weekend in its visit to Toluca which will have the players even more motivated to continue the good run in form. Atlas will take this match as an opportunity to forget the midweek Copa Libertadores debut which it lost at home to Independiente of Santa Fe.

SATURDAY:

Cruz Azul vs Chivas Guadalajara – 6:00pm EST / 3:00pm PST

The incredibly strong defense of Cruz Azul will be up to the test of the not so strong offense of Chivas of Guadalajara in the first of the two big clashes this weekend. Cruz Azul boasts an undefeated 4-2-0 record in which it has only allowed one goal. The weakness for Cruz Azul is that there isn’t much firepower up top. Two penalties allowed Cruz Azul to take a 1-2 win over Queretaro last weekend and prior to that the team had only scored three goals in the previous five matches. Chivas will still have the extreme pressure of the relegation over its head. A 0-0 draw at home last weekend to fellow relegation opponent Veracruz was not what the team needed. Goals and more importantly points are needed from the Guadalajara side who up until now are just barely avoiding the scary drop to second division thanks to the misfortunes of Puebla and Leones Negros.

Monterrey vs Queretaro – 8:00pm EST / 5:00pm PST

Championship winning manager Antonio ‘El Turco” Mohamed makes his debut with Monterrey after taking over for the recently fired Carlos Barra. On the other side of the field will be a manager barely hanging on to his job, Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Ambriz could be managing his final Queretaro match if the team is not able to bring in the three points. Ambriz had the team playing at a decent level midway through last season but everything turned sideways with the inclusion of Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho. The other Brazilian, Camilo Sanvezzo was usually the player to come up with a moment of brilliance to save the odd match here and there, but a torn ACL in preseason has him away for the entire season.

Pachuca vs Club Leon – 9:00pm EST / 6:00pm PST

A father vs son battle. Pachuca owned and operated by Jesus Martinez will host Club Leon, operated by Jesus Martinez Jr. Both clubs are financially backed by Billionaire – and believed to be the richest man on the planet – Carlos Slim. The family rivalry has spilled over into various social media networks this weeks with fans from both sides laying claim that their club is bigger than the other.

Chiapas FC vs Tigres UANL – 10:00pm EST / 7:00pm PST

Last season’s runners up Tigres UANL have not had the most exciting starts to the season. But a big 3-0 win midweek in the club’s Copa Libertadores debut will have it in high spirits when the visit Chiapas FC. The host will look to forget the 5-0 thrashing Club America put on them last weekend, and instead focus on preserving its impressive 15 game unbeaten streak at home.

SUNDAY:

Pumas UNAM vs Club America – 1:00pm EST / 10:00am PST

Probably the most dangerous match of the entire LIGA MX due to hooligan violence will take place on Sunday afternoon when champions Club America visit crosstown rivals Pumas UNAM. Pumas are coming off of two consecutive losses – to Club Leon at home 1-3 and 3-0 away to Tijuana Xolos – and do not look to strong against the powerful attack of the champs. America found its stride against Chiapas last weekend with a 5-0 win and now sit comfortably in third place of the league table.

Leones Negros vs Tijuana Xolos – 6:00pm EST / 3:00pm PST

The surprise of the season Tijuana Xolos visits the desperate Leones Negros. The host are currently last place of the percentage table and can not afford to lose any points. It will need to come out attacking looking for goals from the start, although it will be a challenge since its main player Fidel Martinez will be suspended and will not be able to face his former club. Tijuana, the season’s highest scoring offense – will look to exploit the desperation of it rival and with speedy attackers up front like newcomer Gabriel Hauche the match could be an open and exciting affair from start to finish.