After 16 weeks of the Mexican Clausura tournament, ten teams are still looking to make it to the knockout stage. Three of the most popular sides in the country (Chivas, America and Cruz Azul) depend entirely on what they do to make it to the "Liguilla", but they could be shocked by any of their pursuers if they fail to add points to their total in the upcoming weekend.
Right now, only Veracruz, Tigres and Atlas have earned their playoff berths, but their position is subject to change after next weekend's games. Particularly, Tigres will have to shift focus quickly, since they are the only team among the Mexican top flight with a midweek match, since they will play Universitario Sucre for a place in the Copa Libertadores' Quarter-final stage. Let's have a look at what the first five teams need in order to win a place to fight for the Clausura 2015 title.
Chivas
"El Rebaño" led the league for the past three weeks, but after their 2-1 loss against Tigres on Saturday, Chepo de la Torre's men fell to the 4th spot in the standings. Guadalajara needs only one more point to secure their spot among the Final Eight. Guadalajara will face last place Morelia on Sunday, so their chances of progression are rather high.
Omar Bravo will also be looking to tie the all-time goal scoring record for Chivas during the final game of the season. He needs a brace to do so.
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América
The current title holders boosted their chances of making the playoffs after defeating Toluca on Saturday, but Gustavo Matosas' side will have to fight for their place in the Quarter-finals without striker Dario Benedetto, who has been key to the team's latest success in the CONCACAF Champions League. America will visit Atlas on Saturday night only needing one more point, but Los Rojinegros will try to repeat last semester's win over Las Aguilas to hold their top-seeded status.
Striker Oribe Peralta has struggled with a hamstring problem recently, but his performance will be key on Saturday so his side can defend their Apertura 2014 title.
Cruz Azul
"La Máquina" holds their destiny into their hands, since they only need one more point to be in the playoffs. The only setback for Luis Fernando Tena's crew will be their matchup against Leones Negros. The team from Guadalajara desperately needs a win against Cruz Azul next Saturday in order to avoid relegation, and they will surely fight for their lives with everything they've got. Usually, Cruz Azul struggles against teams like these, so they will need Roque Santa Cruz's experience to make it through to the final stage of the tournament.
Roque Santa Cruz proved his worth on Sunday afternoon, keeping Cruz Azul's hopes alive with the game-winning goal against Pumas.
Tijuana
Los Xolos have performed poorly in their most recent six games, and they could become the first side in Liga MX's history to lead the standings for 12 weeks and not make it to the playoffs. The up side for them is that they will be facing León, the side which has conceded the most goals in the tournament. Tijuana needs to win their match no matter what, since a draw against Los Esmeraldas could put their playoff spot in serious jeopardy.
Dayro Moreno (right) needs to find his goal scoring form back before it's too late for Tijuana. His performance against León will be crucial.
Santos
Los Guerreros hold the last playoff spot available as of now, and their future seems rather promising. Pedro Caixinha's men will host Puebla, the other side fighting to avoid relegation, and a win against "La Franja" would automatically give them a playoff berth. Nevertheless, they have to be very concentrated while defending Matias Alustiza, who tops the league with nine goals. A draw would compromise seriously their spot among the final eight, while losing to Los Camoteros would also risk coach Caixinha's job with the borderline team.
Nestor Calderón's brace against Pachuca last Saturday increased his team's chances of earning a playoff berth. He will be needed on May 9th to defeat struggling side Puebla.
