Two derbies headline the tenth matchday, while Pumas and Morelia face off for the top of the table this Sunday at the Estadio Morelos.
Atlas and Chivas will face off in the battle for Guadalajara this Saturday at the Estadio Jalisco, in the first of this weekend's two derbies. Sunday will feature América and Cruz Azul, who will fight for supremacy in Mexico City at the Estadio Azteca.
Meanwhile, Pumas and Morelia will face off for the top spot in the league at the Estadio Morelos, with the country's only undefeated team squaring off with one of the best defenses in the Mexican First Division. Rounding out the slate is Toluca and Santos Laguna, who will play each other in a repeat of the Clausura 2010 final celebrated almost a year ago.
Necaxa could string together a sixth consecutive week without losing when they face Monterrey this Friday night at the Estadio Victoria.
They would, however, need to end a four-year drought against the Rayados, who have not lost to them since the Apertura 2007 tournament, when the Rayos beat Monterrey at home.
Another red-and-white win would shorten their distance in respect to Queretaro, whom they still chase in the relegation race. Humberto Suazo is still MIA for Monterrey, as he is injured and currently in convalescence.
Monterrey beat Queretaro 2-0 last week, boosting the spirits of Necaxa in the process. Now, a Necaxa victory over Monterrey could also have dire effects on the Rayados, who would see their playoff hopes slowly slip away.
After gaining six of nine available points following three weeks of Hector Hugo Eugui's reign, Puebla travel to Queretaro to continue their march towards maybe making the playoffs, something that seemed utterly impossible before the Uruguayan's arrival.
Queretaro will have to take full home-field advantage in order to push away from Necaxa, who trail them in the relegation table.
Puebla also face relegation troubles, so a win at Queretaro will be very difficult to ignore for those still detracting from Eugui's work at the Estadio Cuauhtemoc.
The Camoteros face extracurricular problems due to their owner threatening to sell the team earlier this week. The destination for the franchise would be Veracruz.
A big mid-week Copa Libertadores over Emelec have Jaguares fired up en route to their match with Estudiantes Tecos in the Estadio Victor Manuel Reyna.
The UAG side roll in after beating Pachuca last Friday, which also saved manager Jose Luis Sánchez Solá from leaving the coaching post after a less-than-inspiring start of the season.
They will have to worry about three sensitive absences in the defensive middle of the field, as Juan Carlos Leaño, Jorge Zamogilny and Daniel Antúnez are all out due to injury or suspension. Jackson Martinez is out for Jaguares, which will mean one less offensive threat.
A Estudiantes Tecos loss and a combination of results could leave them looking up at the other 17 teams in the league, as they possess just 9 points after 9 matches.
Normally, an Ignacio Ambriz vs. Ricardo Ferretti match would often produce a 0-0 snoozer. But the Clausura 2011 matchup between San Luis and Tigres UANL is a guarantee to produce sparks.
Tigres have a dominating front line that features Danilinho, Hector Mancilla and Damian Alvarez. Lucas Lobos is out due to injury, and he will be replaced by extra striker Carlos Ochoa.
Meanwhile, the felines will continue to feature goalkeeper Enrique Palos as the starter, as he has had five consecutive clean sheets. San Luis have won their first point in Copa Libertadores... after three matches.
Thus, they must pick up the pace in the league in order to better their chances of having a productive semester. Othoniel Arce and Wilmer Aguirre will look to start up front for the Gladiators.
Efrain Flores will debut as Pachuca's head coach against Atlante this Saturday at the Estadio Hidalgo. After several years as Chivas' manager, Flores will take over the Tuzos and try and steer them into the playoffs, which they made last season.
He'll miss Leobardo Lopez, his starting central defender, who is out due to injury. Atlante will be without Ever Alfaro, who is suspended. Following two straight losses, Atlante will look to rebound and also get their first three-pointer out on the road.
Efrain Flores will face off against Miguel Herrera, who managed crosstown rivals Estudiantes Tecos prior to taking the Atlante job. It's worth noting that the Potros have not won two consecutive games this season. Pachuca have not won in three games, which accelerated former manager Pablo Marini's exit.
Morelia and Pumas UNAM face off for the league lead at the Estadio Morelos.
Both teams have dominated the league with complete performances during the first nine weeks. Pumas are the league's only undefeated team, with a six win, three draw clip.
Morelia are trying to beat UNAM for the first time since February of 2009. Pumas have won the last two games in the series, which are usually low-scoring affairs. In the last five matches, there have been just give goals scored.
That has been the norm for both teams prior to their matchup. Morelia have allowed just four goals in the last five games. They arrive to this match with a four-game winning streak. Pumas have a three-game winning streak, and just two goals allowed in that same five-match span.
Toluca and Santos Laguna will reprise the Clausura 2010 about eight months after Toluca picked up their tenth championship and defeated Santos Laguna, who later went on to lose again in the next tournament - to Monterrey.
Ten months after their date in the finals - both teams have fallen on hard times. Santos Laguna fired Ruben Omar Romano and are still winless under Diego Cocca - in four tries. Toluca are considering firing new coach Sergio Lugo after a terrible run of results that hasn't netted them a victory since February 12.
In their last four matches, they've allowed a total of 14 goals, including 13 of them during league matches. Prior to this losing streak, Gallos Blancos were on the receiving end of a 0-5 thrashing by Toluca that seems to have had karmic effects on the Diablos Rojos.
The Mexico City derby takes place this Sunday between América and Cruz Azul. New América manager Carlos Reinoso has lost just once to Cruz Azul in 14 chances as the blue and yellow's manager on two past occasions.
Sparks have flown between two teams, as former América starlet and current Cruz Azul starter Christian Gimenez saying that he has cut all ties between him and his former América teammates, stating "I have no friends on that team."
Cruz Azul beat América for the first time since 2003 in their last meeting. Prior to that, fourteen matches had gone by without a Blue win. The visitors have not won in the league since February 19.
América, have won their last three games in Libertadores and league, the most recent being a 3-2 comeback at Santos Laguna on March 5, as well as a 1-0 mid-week Copa Libertadores win over Fluminense.
Meanwhile, Pumas and Morelia will face off for the top spot in the league at the Estadio Morelos, with the country's only undefeated team squaring off with one of the best defenses in the Mexican First Division. Rounding out the slate is Toluca and Santos Laguna, who will play each other in a repeat of the Clausura 2010 final celebrated almost a year ago.
Necaxa could string together a sixth consecutive week without losing when they face Monterrey this Friday night at the Estadio Victoria.
They would, however, need to end a four-year drought against the Rayados, who have not lost to them since the Apertura 2007 tournament, when the Rayos beat Monterrey at home.
Another red-and-white win would shorten their distance in respect to Queretaro, whom they still chase in the relegation race. Humberto Suazo is still MIA for Monterrey, as he is injured and currently in convalescence.
Monterrey beat Queretaro 2-0 last week, boosting the spirits of Necaxa in the process. Now, a Necaxa victory over Monterrey could also have dire effects on the Rayados, who would see their playoff hopes slowly slip away.
After gaining six of nine available points following three weeks of Hector Hugo Eugui's reign, Puebla travel to Queretaro to continue their march towards maybe making the playoffs, something that seemed utterly impossible before the Uruguayan's arrival.
Queretaro will have to take full home-field advantage in order to push away from Necaxa, who trail them in the relegation table.
Puebla also face relegation troubles, so a win at Queretaro will be very difficult to ignore for those still detracting from Eugui's work at the Estadio Cuauhtemoc.
The Camoteros face extracurricular problems due to their owner threatening to sell the team earlier this week. The destination for the franchise would be Veracruz.
A big mid-week Copa Libertadores over Emelec have Jaguares fired up en route to their match with Estudiantes Tecos in the Estadio Victor Manuel Reyna.
The UAG side roll in after beating Pachuca last Friday, which also saved manager Jose Luis Sánchez Solá from leaving the coaching post after a less-than-inspiring start of the season.
They will have to worry about three sensitive absences in the defensive middle of the field, as Juan Carlos Leaño, Jorge Zamogilny and Daniel Antúnez are all out due to injury or suspension. Jackson Martinez is out for Jaguares, which will mean one less offensive threat.
A Estudiantes Tecos loss and a combination of results could leave them looking up at the other 17 teams in the league, as they possess just 9 points after 9 matches.
Normally, an Ignacio Ambriz vs. Ricardo Ferretti match would often produce a 0-0 snoozer. But the Clausura 2011 matchup between San Luis and Tigres UANL is a guarantee to produce sparks.
Tigres have a dominating front line that features Danilinho, Hector Mancilla and Damian Alvarez. Lucas Lobos is out due to injury, and he will be replaced by extra striker Carlos Ochoa.
Meanwhile, the felines will continue to feature goalkeeper Enrique Palos as the starter, as he has had five consecutive clean sheets. San Luis have won their first point in Copa Libertadores... after three matches.
Thus, they must pick up the pace in the league in order to better their chances of having a productive semester. Othoniel Arce and Wilmer Aguirre will look to start up front for the Gladiators.
Efrain Flores will debut as Pachuca's head coach against Atlante this Saturday at the Estadio Hidalgo. After several years as Chivas' manager, Flores will take over the Tuzos and try and steer them into the playoffs, which they made last season.
He'll miss Leobardo Lopez, his starting central defender, who is out due to injury. Atlante will be without Ever Alfaro, who is suspended. Following two straight losses, Atlante will look to rebound and also get their first three-pointer out on the road.
Efrain Flores will face off against Miguel Herrera, who managed crosstown rivals Estudiantes Tecos prior to taking the Atlante job. It's worth noting that the Potros have not won two consecutive games this season. Pachuca have not won in three games, which accelerated former manager Pablo Marini's exit.
Morelia and Pumas UNAM face off for the league lead at the Estadio Morelos.
Both teams have dominated the league with complete performances during the first nine weeks. Pumas are the league's only undefeated team, with a six win, three draw clip.
Morelia are trying to beat UNAM for the first time since February of 2009. Pumas have won the last two games in the series, which are usually low-scoring affairs. In the last five matches, there have been just give goals scored.
That has been the norm for both teams prior to their matchup. Morelia have allowed just four goals in the last five games. They arrive to this match with a four-game winning streak. Pumas have a three-game winning streak, and just two goals allowed in that same five-match span.
Toluca and Santos Laguna will reprise the Clausura 2010 about eight months after Toluca picked up their tenth championship and defeated Santos Laguna, who later went on to lose again in the next tournament - to Monterrey.
Ten months after their date in the finals - both teams have fallen on hard times. Santos Laguna fired Ruben Omar Romano and are still winless under Diego Cocca - in four tries. Toluca are considering firing new coach Sergio Lugo after a terrible run of results that hasn't netted them a victory since February 12.
In their last four matches, they've allowed a total of 14 goals, including 13 of them during league matches. Prior to this losing streak, Gallos Blancos were on the receiving end of a 0-5 thrashing by Toluca that seems to have had karmic effects on the Diablos Rojos.
The Mexico City derby takes place this Sunday between América and Cruz Azul. New América manager Carlos Reinoso has lost just once to Cruz Azul in 14 chances as the blue and yellow's manager on two past occasions.
Sparks have flown between two teams, as former América starlet and current Cruz Azul starter Christian Gimenez saying that he has cut all ties between him and his former América teammates, stating "I have no friends on that team."
Cruz Azul beat América for the first time since 2003 in their last meeting. Prior to that, fourteen matches had gone by without a Blue win. The visitors have not won in the league since February 19.
América, have won their last three games in Libertadores and league, the most recent being a 3-2 comeback at Santos Laguna on March 5, as well as a 1-0 mid-week Copa Libertadores win over Fluminense.
