Tijuana Xolos Liga MX 2019 Apertura Preview: Xolos face tough away game against Santos Laguna
Game: Santos Laguna vs Tijuana Xolos
Where: Estadio TSM, Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico
When: Friday, Oct. 18, 2019
Time: 7:06 P.M. PST
TV: Fox Deportes
The Tijuana Xolos will play Santos Laguna away from home this Friday, Oct. 18, at the Estadio TSM Corona for a game in Week 14 of the Liga MX 2019 Apertura. The Aztec Canines are coming off a rough 2-2 draw against Atlas at home in what felt more like a loss for the border city club.
The Xoloitzcuintles finished the match with three red cards to Camilo Sanvezzo, Ariel Nahuelpan, and Kevin Balanta, who will all be unavailable for this game against Santos. This is a very tough away game as is, and it will be even harder for Oscar Pareja’s team without these key players.
Sanvezzo featured on the bench for Club Tijuana in its last game, but Kevin Balanta and Nahuelpan have been key starters all season. Players like Erick Torres and Ignacio Rivero are the likely candidates to replace the suspended players in Week 14.
The Xolos are on the cusp of a playoff spot, currently in 10th place with 18 points, and could finish as high as fifth place with a win in this match.
Santos Laguna has been one of the best teams this season, currently second in the 2019 Apertura, with 23 points. The Celestial Warriors will finish in first place on Friday night with a win in this match, and the team from Torreon has the massive home-field advantage.
Los Guerreros are living a low point in the season with two consecutive losses, coming off a 4-0 loss to Tigres UANL. Santos Laguna has conceded six goals in its last two games and has not scored a goal in these past two games. Overall, Santos has a very well-balanced team, but the defense is the weakest point with inconsistent players like Hugo Rodriguez and Carlos Emilio Orrantia.
Players to Watch
Miller Bolanos
Without Ariel Nahuelpan and Camilo Sanvezzo, Miller Bolanos will be commanding the attack for Tijuana and will have much more responsibility than usual. The Ecuadorian forward has had a great season, currently leading the league with eight assists as he will need to feed the ball to Angel Sepulveda and Mauro Lainez in this game.
Julio Furch
Furch has been one of the best players in the 2019 Apertura season, currently tied for the most goals this season with eight. The Santos Laguna striker is a very physical player standing in at 6-foot-2 and is masterful in the air with immense heading ability.
Prediction
EVT predicts a 2-1 win for Santos Laguna as Los Guerreros have the better team, and the Xoloitzcuintles will be missing some key players.
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.