FC Juarez vs Tijuana Xolos Liga MX Guardianes 2021- Match Preview
FC Juarez vs Tijuana Xolos
Estadio Olimpico Benito Juarez
Friday, Jan, 15
7:30 p.m. pst
TV: TUDN
The Tijuana Xolos will travel to Ciudad Juarez to face border city rivals FC Juarez in the second round of matches in the Liga MX Guardianes 2021 season this Friday, Jan.15. The Aztec Canines began the season with an uneventful scoreless draw to Pumas UNAM at the Estadio Caliente.
Club Tijuana controlled possession in that match against Pumas UNAM, but did not do much with the ball. The Xolitzcuintles only had three shots on target in that match as opposed to Pumas’ eight shots on target.
However, Pumas UNAM was a semifinalist last season, and that point was not a bad result for the border city team. FC Juarez is a much weaker opponent for Xolos than Pumas, but this will not be an easy away match. Tijuana has historically struggled on the road and last season under Pablo Guede was no exception with no wins away from home, featuring seven losses and just one draw.
The midfield partnership for Xolos consisting of Esteban Pavez and Christian Rivera worked well against Pumas, as well as the defensive partnership of youngster Victor Guzman and super veteran Gonzalo Jara. The attack comprised of the attack partnership of Miguel Angel Sansores and Mauro Manotas was the least refined as the pair have not worked together for very long.
FC Juarez began the 2021 Guardinaes season with a 1-1 draw against Pachuca away from home in what proved to be a hard-fought clash. Playmaker Marco Fabian came away with a red card from the match for Juarez, and he will be a notable absence for this game.
Even without Fabian, Los Bravos still have a dangerous attack led by Paraguayan striker Dario Lezcano, who scored 10 goals last season. FC Juarez has the ability to make this a tough match for Club Tijuana as securing a victory can prove to be an arduous task for Xolos.
Player to watch
Fabian Castillo is Club Tijuana’s most talented player, and he did not produce enough offense against Pumas to score a goal. The Colombian winger has a lot of creativity and speed on the wings as he needs to be able to connect with players like Miguel Sansores and Mauro Manotas.
Prediction
EVT predicts a 1-1 draw in this match as there is no clear favorite heading into this match at the Estadio Olimpico Benito Juarez.
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.