Xolos search for fist win of season against Necaxa :Tijuana Xolos Liga MX Clausura 2023 Preview

Game: Necaxa vs. Tijuana Xolos

Where Estadio Victoria Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico

When: Friday, February 3, 2023

Time: 7:00 p.m. PST

TV: TUDN USA

Club Tijuana looks for their first win of the Liga MX Clausura 2023 season as they go on the road to face off against fellow bottom-of-the-table opponent, Necaxa at Estadio Victoria in Aguascalientes on Friday, February 3 at 5 p.m. pacific time. 

The teams are tied with four points on the Liga MX table with four games played, and both will be looking for a much-needed win to change the trajectory for their respective seasons.

In their matchup last year,  Necaxa and Club Tijuana played to a 1-1 draw at Estadio Caliente in Tijuana with midfielder Federico Lértora scoring Tijuana’s equalizer in stoppage time at the end of the first half. However, Necaxa will look much different compared to their last meeting because of the newly appointed manager, Andrés Lillini, at the helm.

Club Tijuana has lost one and tied three other matches at this early portion of the season.

In their last game, Tijuana played a scoreless draw at home against Pumas UNAM. The border city team was unable to take advantage of a red card in the 40th minute that left Pumas with only ten players for 50 minutes plus stoppage time. The last time Tijuana scored a goal was in the 3rd minute of their match two weeks ago against  Tigres UANL. 

Necaxa has won one game against Cruz Azul, who Tijuana tied against in their first match of the season. Last week Necaxa scored a stoppage-time penalty against Pachuca, defending Liga MX champions, in a 2-1 losing effort. Necaxa has scored five goals so far this season, with two of them being penalty kicks, while Club Tijuana only has two goals on the season thus far but have given up less than Necaxa. 

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Players to Watch: 

Lucas Cavallini, Club Tijuana

It is unclear if the newly signed Canadian striker, Lucas Cavallini, will be available having just signed on with the club, but the striker could bring a much needed physicality to the front line that must be addressed by defenses leaving the forwards like Pedro Alexis Canelo and Braian Romero open for more attacking opportunities. 

Facundo Batista, Necaxa

Batista is a 24-year-old right-footed forward who leads Necaxa in goals and assists. Inside the box, he could prove a problem inside the box for Club Tijuana. 

Prediction: 

EVT predicts a 1-1 draw at  Estadio Victoria, as Tijuana has yet to have shown the ability to preserve a lead but has the potential to prevent much damage on the defensive end.

Abraham Zepeda

Abraham Zepeda is a bilingual Chula Vista Native covering the Tijuana Xolos for EVT. He spent the summer of 2022 covering San Diego Loyal SC and San Diego Wave FC. He is also currently a student at the University of Oregon pursuing a degree in journalism.