Tijuana Xolos Liga MX 2020 Clausura Preview: Xolos host Chivas, try to snap winless streak
Credit: Liga MX
Game: Tijuana Xolos vs. Chivas de Guadalajara
Where: Estadio Caliente, Tijuana, Mexico
When: Friday, Feb. 21, 2020
Time: 7:10 p.m. PST
TV: Fox Deportes (Spanish), Fox Sports 2 (English)
The Tijuana Xolos will host Chivas de Guadalajara at the Estadio Caliente this Friday, Feb. 21, for a game in the seventh round of matches in the Liga MX 2020 Clausura season. The Xoloitzcuintles are winless in their last five league games and really need a positive result from this match.
Club Tijuana did qualify to the semifinals of the Copa MX during the week but need to pick it up in the Liga MX. The Xolos are coming off a 1-1 draw against Monarcas Morelia in league play away from home.
The Aztec Canines are undefeated at home but have tied their last two games at the Mictlan. Club Tijuana has really struggled offensively this season as the border city team has scored one goal or less in five of six games.
Xolos manager Gustavo Quinteros needs to switch up his lineup as Miller Bolanos and Camilo Sanvezzo have been ineffective so far. Bryan Angulo scored a goal off the bench in Tijuana’s last game, and he may start this match against Chivas.
Chivas de Guadalajara has also been struggling this season, currently in 13th place with just six points. Los Tapatios is also on a five-game winless streak, coming off a 2-1 loss to Cruz Azul at home.
Chivas is winless away from home this season with a loss and two draws on the road. Los Rojiblancos have historically struggled in Tijuana, and this will not be an easy match for the away team.
Chivas spent a fortune in the offseason to bolster its roster, but the investment has not paid off so far. Guadalajara has talented players like Jose Juan Macias, Cristian Calderon, and Eduardo Lopez, but manager Luis Fernando Tena has not found an ideal starting 11.
Players to Watch
Bryan Angulo
Angulo played in the second half against Monarcas Morelia and scored in his limited playing time last week. Starting striker Camilo Sanvezzo has been inconsistent this season as it may be time for Angulo to take over.
Uriel Antuna
The young winger missed a lot of scoring opportunities in Chivas’ last game against Cruz Azul and will be looking to redeem himself in this match. Antuna was Chivas’ most expensive signing this offseason and is a very talented player with a lot of pace as well.
Prediction
EVT predicts a 1-1 draw between Xolos and Chivas at the Estadio Caliente as this is set to be a very hard-fought match.
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.