Game: Tijuana Xolos vs. Queretaro

Where: Estadio Caliente, Tijuana, Mexico

When: Friday, February 9, 2024

Time: 7:10 p.m. PST

TV: TUDN

The Tijuana Xolos will play their sixth game of the Liga MX 2024 Clausura season this Friday, February 8, at the Estadio Caliente against Queretaro.

Club Tijuana is still winless to start the 2024 Clausura campaign and now desperately need a win from this match.

The Xoloitzcuintles have just one point earned from two home games this season, which is very worrying considering how much of a fortress the Estadio Caliente usually is. The Border City Dogs are coming off two consecutive losses against Pachuca and Cruz Azul on the road in what was a road trip filled with controversy after an altercation between Xolos’ manager Miguel Herrera and Cruz Azul sporting director Ivan Alonso.

The verbal scuffle resulted in a fine for Miguel Herrera, who has tried to switch things around in recent games. Herrera started new signings Joe Corona, Jesus Gomez, and Raul Zuniga against Pachuca, but this did not make much of an impact in a 3-2 loss.

Queretaro has also been struggling in this 2024 Clausura season, currently in 15th place with just three points. Los Gallos Blancos have three draws, three losses, and no wins this season, as they are also in desperate need of the three points from this match.

Queretaro is coming off a 3-1 loss to Cruz Azul at home and has suffered from several issues, including an attack that has only successfully scored more than a goal in a match once this season. Given that Xolos and Queretaro share an ownership group there are a few ex-Club Tijuana players with Los Gallos Blancos including Federico Lertora, Jaime Gomez, Rubio Rubin and Miguel Barbieri.

Federico Lertora is arguably Queretaro’s best player, and he will be tough to face in what is expected to be a hard-fought match. Club Tijuana has the potential to win this match easily at home, but the recent inconsistencies and struggles means that they can easily fail to win this match as well.

The border city team will have another two consecutive road games after this one, as the three points from this match are necessary if the Xolos are trying to remain competitive this season.

Francisco Velasco

Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.