Tijuana Xolos Liga MX 2019 Apertura Preview: Xolos host last-place Veracruz
Game: Tijuana Xolos vs. Veracruz
Where: Estadio Caliente, Tijuana, Mexico
When: Friday, Oct. 25, 2019
Time: 7:06 P.M. PST
TV: ESPN Deportes, Fox Sports 2
The Tijuana Xolos will play their Liga MX 2019 Apertura Week 15 matchup against Veracruz at the Estadio Caliente this Friday, Oct.25. The Xolos are coming off a rough 4-1 away loss to Santos Laguna in Week 14, but this is a golden opportunity to get back on track against the worst team in the Liga MX this season.
The Xoloitzcuintles are currently in 11th place with 18 points and could finish in the top eight by the end of the weekend with a win in this match. Kevin Balanta, Camilo Sanvezzo, and Ariel Nahuelpan all missed the last game against Santos Laguna due to suspensions, but all three players will be back for this game.
The border city team is coming off a 2-0 win in the Copa MX against Zacatecas this past Tuesday, where Camilo Sanvezzo scored both goals in the match. Sanvezzo and Nahuelpan were missed in the attack last week and can make a huge impact in this clash.
Veracruz has serious problems that go far beyond the league table, and that is hard to believe considering Los Tiburones Rojos are dead last with just four points. The port city team has financial severe issues as owner Fidel Kuri owed players up to seven months worth of wages up until this week.
Los Escualos and several other Liga MX teams across the league protested in Week 14 because of these issues. The typical protest seen throughout the league is not playing for a minute at the start of the game, and it is unclear if that will be seen in this match.
Veracruz has a very limited roster and is bottom of the league and bottom of the relegation table as well. However, the Red Sharks have been able to compete in certain games this season with surprising results like draws to Leon and Cruz Azul.
Los Tiburones Rojos are historically the worst team in Mexican soccer history, currently on a 40-game winless streak. Veracruz’s last win came over a year ago on Aug.25, 2018, oddly enough against Club Tijuana.
Players to Watch
Camilo Sanvezzo
The Brazilian striker scored two goals in the Copa MX during the week and is coming fresh off a one-game suspension. Sanvezzo has been an on and off starter for Oscar Pareja this season, but he can even be a player that is capable of making an impact off the bench.
Sebastian Jurado
Veracruz has some intriguing players on its roster, and the one that definitely stands out is Sebastian Jurado. In his young career, Jurado is yet to win a Liga MX game, but he has been one of the very few bright spots in a very dim Veracruz side. The 22-year-old has even received attention from the Mexico national team and definitely has a bright future ahead of him.
Prediction
EVT predicts a 2-0 win for Club Tijuana in this match as the Xoloitzcuintles have the much better squad and 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.