Tijuana Xolos Liga MX 2019 AP Preview: Xolos host Gignac, Tigres at Estadio Caliente
Credit: Liga MX
Game: Tijuana Xolos vs. Tigres UANL
When: Friday, Sept. 13, 2019
Where: Estadio Caliente, Tijuana, Mexico
Time: 7:06 P.M. PST
TV: FS2, Fox Deportes
The Tijuana Xolos will host Tigres UANL at the Estadio Caliente this Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, for a game in Week 9 of the Liga MX 2019 Apertura. The Xoloitzcuintles are coming off a 3-2 loss to Necaxa away from home but is undefeated at the Estadio Caliente this season with two wins and a draw at the Mictlan.
The Xolos have received offensive production from the entire team as the border city side has counted with six different goalscorers in its last four league games. Camilo Sanvezzzo and Washington Camacho lead Tijuana with two goals scored, but there has been production from some unexpected sources.
Manager Oscar Pareja is yet to find his ideal starting XI as he has experimented with his fullbacks and attackers. It is unclear as to what lineup the Colombian coach will use in this match, but he cannot afford to take risks against a team like Tigres.
Tigres UANL has been one of the best Liga MX teams over the past five years and is one of the favorites to take the Liga MX 2019 Apertura title. The team from Nuevo Leon is currently in fifth place with 13 points, just four points off league leaders Queretaro.
Los Felinos are winless in their last four games with four consecutive 1-1 draws, coming off a draw against Leon at home. Tigres UANL tends to start the regular season slow, then picks it up as the weeks go by, this has been a consistent trend in recent tournaments.
Still, Ricardo Ferretti’s team is one of the best in the southern hemisphere with players like Andre-Pierre Gignac, Enner Valencia, and Guido Pizarro. Tigres also has several Mexican internationals like Luis Rodriguez, Diego Reyes, and Carlos Salcedo.
Players to Watch
Andre-Pierre Gignac
Gignac is clearly the best player on the team and is still arguably the best player in the Liga MX. The French striker became Tigres’ all-time top goalscorer earlier in the season and is now being considered by some people as the best foreigner to play in Mexico.
Miller Bolanos
Bolanos is still yet to score this season, and more has been expected than what has seen from him. The Ecuadorian forward has contributed to the attack with some assists, but needs to take better command of the attack going forward.
Prediction
EVT predicts a 2-1 win for Tigres as the visitors have the much better team and that can show in this match, despite Tijuana having the home-field advantage.
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.