Tijuana Xolos Liga MX 2020 Clausura Preview: Xolos try to snap winless streak vs. Cruz Azul at Azteca
Game: Cruz Azul vs. Tijuana Xolos
Where: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
When: Saturday, March 7, 2020
Time: 3:00 p.m. PST
TV: TUDN, ESPN Deportes
The Tijuana Xolos will play their ninth match in the Liga MX 2020 Clausura tournament as the Aztec Canines visit the Estadio Azteca to face Cruz Azul this Saturday, March 7. The Xoloitzcuintles are currently in crisis mode as the border city team has lost their last two games league games.
To make matters worse, both games were at the Estadio Caliente as Club Tijuana historically does well at home and struggles on the road. The Border City Dogs are doing well in the Copa MX, currently in the semifinal stage of the competition, coming off a 3-0 win against Toluca. Still, it has been a different story in league play.
The offense has particularly struggled with only five goals scored, which is the worse record in the league. Bryan Angulo did score a hat-trick in that Copa MX match against Toluca as he and the rest of the squad have that momentum heading into this clash.
Edwin Cardona started the last game against Puebla on the bench, and his skill and flair can help out this stagnant offense. Cardona has looked sharp in his limited playing time, and the offense looks enticing with him, Miller Bolanos and Bryan Angulo.
Cruz Azul has been a different story than Club Tijuana, currently top of the league table with 16 points. La Maquina is coming off a dominant 4-2 win against Monarcas Morelia away from home as the Mexico City team is currently on a four-game winning streak in league play.
Jonathan Rodriguez has fueled the offense with seven goals scored, but there are other exciting players on the squad like Elias Hernandez, who has scored four goals in this campaign. The defense can be better with 12 goals allowed, but a significant absence to this squad has been centre-back, Pablo Aguilar.
Players to Watch
Bryan Angulo
Angulo has to be Tijuana’s player to watch in this match after his hat-trick in the Copa MX. The Ecuadorian striker will be facing his former team at the Azteca and will have the momentum and motivation heading into this game.
Jonathan Rodriguez
Rodriguez has arguably been the best player in the Liga MX and has earned a spot on the Uruguay national team. “Cabecita” leads the league with seven goals scored and has the ability to do some damage against Club Tijuana.
Prediction
EVT predicts a 3-1 win for Cruz Azul as Los Celestes are in much better form than the Xoloitzcuintles and will also have the home-field advantage.
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.