Tijuana Xolos Liga MX 2020 Clausura Preview: Xolos look to snap scoreles streak vs. Atlas
LIga MX
Game: Atlas vs. Tijuana Xolos
Where: Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
When: Friday, Jan. 31, 2020
Time: 7:00 p.m. PST
TV: TUDN
The Tijuana Xolos will play their fourth game in the Liga MX 2020 Clausura season this Friday, Jan. 31, when the Xoloitzcuintles travel to the Estadio Jalisco to face Atlas. The Xolos are coming off a scoreless draw against Club America at home and have now not scored in two consecutive games.
The Aztec Canines began the season with a 2-1 win against Santos Laguna, but the offense has been nonexistent since the season-opener. The Border City Dogs have historically played much better at home than away, and that trend has continued at the start of this 2020 Clausura.
In the Xolos only road game so far, Los Caninos fell 3-0 to Queretaro. Xolos’ manager Gustavo Quinteros will look to change this, but it will be no easy task as the last two Club Tijuana managers have had no luck in doing so.
Atlas is undergoing a transitional phase as the team from Guadalajara recently parted ways with Leandro Cufre and brought in Rafael Puente Jr. to be the new manager. Puente was barely officially announced by Los Zorros this Thursday, Jan. 30, as he will not be available for this first match.
Omar Flores will serve as the interim manager for Atlas as the team will play in front of an empty Estadio Jalisco. The stadium received a one-match ban for fans because some fans repeatedly shouted homophobic slurs at the opposing goalkeeper at the last home match.
Atlas began the season with a 2-1 win against Cruz Azul away from home, but have fallen off after that. Los Rojinegros fell 1-0 to Puebla in their home-opener and lost 2-1 to Tigres UANL last week.
Atlas has some intriguing players going forward like Luciano Acosta and Ignacio Jeraldino. The midfield is also solid with Lorenzo Reyes leading it, but the backline can be very inconsistent for Los Tapatios.
Players to Watch
Miller Bolanos
Bolanos was arguably the MVP for the Xolos last season but is off to a very sluggish start this season. The Ecuadorian forward must pick up the pace to generate some offense for the Border City Dogs that desperately need it.
Ignacio Jeraldino
The Chilean striker is new to the Liga MX but has already scored two goals this season. Jeraldino has a solid physical presence and a good shot on him as he can be trouble for Gibran Lajud and company.
Preview
EVT predicts a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Jalisco in this match as it is set to be a hard-fought match with not much seperating both teams.
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.