Tijuana Xolos Liga MX 2019 Apertura Preview: Xolos travel to Juarez for first Border City Derby
Game: FC Juarez vs. Tijuana Xolos
Where: Estadio Olimpico Benito Juarez, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
When: Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019
Time: 6:00 P.M. PST
TV: TUDNxtra
The Tijuana Xolos will play their Week 17 Liga MX 2019 Apertura matchup this Sunday, Nov. 3, as the Aztec Canines face FC Juarez away from home. This will be the first border city clash between Juarez and Tijuana in the Liga MX as teams from both border cities had never been in the top-flight the same time.
The Xoloitzcuintles are right in the middle of the playoff race, currently in seventh place with 24 points. The Border City Dogs are on a two-game winning streak, coming off a solid 1-0 win against Chivas de Guadalajara away from home.
The Xolos’ defense has been the most significant concern on the team all year, but Club Tijuana has kept a clean sheet in two consecutive league games now. Oscar Pareja’s offense has been firing on all cylinders as Ariel Nahuelpan reached six goals on the season with his goal against Chivas, and Miller Bolanos is up to nine assists as well. The attack will have an excellent opportunity to shine in this match as FC Juarez has allowed 24 goals this season.
FC Juarez is a recent addition to the league as the border city team bought out Lobos BUAP to get into Mexico’s top-flight division. Los Bravos have been struggling this season, currently in 17th place with just 14 points.
FC Juarez has only won one of its last six games and is coming off a horrendous 6-1 away loss to Monarcas Morelia. The border city side has several talented attackers like Angelo Sagal, Diego Rolan, and Dario Lezcano, but has a very weak midfield and defense.
Juarez was previously in the second division and maintained a lot of its players from that lower-level league into its transition into the Liga MX. Los Bravos have promise with young manager Gabriel Caballero, but their project was rushed, and there are clear worrying signs.
Players to Watch
Miller Bolanos
Bolanos continues to be the pillar of the Xolos’ attack, now with nine assists on the season. The Ecuadorian playmaker can have some fun in this game against a very shaky FC Juarez backline.
Diego Rolan
Rolan has built quite a career, spending most of it in Spain and France as well as playing for the Uruguay national team. The Uruguayan forward was reportedly wanted by other Mexican teams, including Club America, and it came as a shock when he signed for FC Juarez.
Prediction
EVT predicts a 2-1 win for Club Tijuana at the Olimpico Benito Juarez. The Xolos tend to struggle away from home but have a much more well-balanced team than FC 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.