Tijuana Xolos Liga MX 2019 CL Week 17 Preview: Xolos Battle Puebla For Final Playoff Spot
Game: Tijuana Xolos vs. Puebla
When: Saturday, May 4, 2019
Where: Estadio Caliente, Tijuana, Mexico
Time: 7:06 P.M. PST
TV: Fox Sports 1, Fox Deportes
The Tijuana Xolos will play their final game of the 2019 Clausura regular season this Saturday, May 4, against Puebla at the Estadio Caliente. The game is set to be a very intense and exciting clash at the Mictlan as both teams need to win to qualify to the playoffs, although the Xolos can also qualify with a draw.
When the Liga MX 2019 Clausura schedule came out, this final match of the regular season for Xolos was not an enticing one. Puebla was a team that was not expected to make the playoffs, while Club Tijuana was an unknown entity with new manager Oscar Pareja.
Now, this match means everything for these two teams this season as Oscar Pareja looks to make an impressive first impression with Xolos, while Jose Luis Sanchez Sola looks to lead his hometown team to the playoffs in his fourth stint with the club.
The Aztec Canines are coming off an impressive 4-1 win against Monarcas Morelia on the road as Gustavo Bou’s two goals and Jesus Angulo’s two assists led the Border City Dogs to victory. However, before that massive win in Michoacan, the Xolos suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss against Lobos BUAP at home.
While the home fans did not enjoy a win last time out at the Estadio Caliente, the Xolos do have an impressive record of five wins and two losses at home. This includes some very impressive wins against Club America and Monterrey, who are favorites to take the Liga MX crown this season.
Puebla has been one of the most surprising teams this season as the team started to get it together after Jose Luis Sanchez Sola was appointed as manager in Week 7 of the competition. “El Chelis” has an impressive record of four wins, four draws and two losses since taking charge and is just a win away from leading La Franja to its first playoff berth in three years.
Los Camoteros do have a lot of talented players like Canadian striker Lucas Cavallini and Colombian fullback Bryan Angulo. The backline has been key to Puebla’s success this season as La Franja has kept four clean sheets and has only allowed eight goals since “Chelis” came to the club.
Sanchez Sola has described his playing style as “Orderly, but aggressive” as he tries to maintain a structured backline while pushing forward to attack. However, “Chelis” will not be on the sidelines to try and implement that style of play as he will serve a one-match ban after an incident in Puebla’s last game.
Players to Watch
Lucas Cavallini
The Canadian striker is one of Puebla’s best players as he leads the team with five goals scored this season. Cavallini is a very physical player, but he also excels at dribbling and can be very technical as well, which makes him tough to contain.
Jesus Angulo
Puebla has talented fullbacks in Bryan Angulo and Vladimir Lorona, but they often push up the field a lot, which leaves plenty of space on the wings. Jesus Angulo is a player that can take advantage of this space as he scored a goal and also bagged two assists last week against Morelia.
Prediction
EVT predicts a 1-1 draw at the Mictlan, the Tijuana Xolos need a win or a draw to qualify to the playoffs and will have the edge in this game due to 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.