Everything is ready for a match with a long tradition in Mexican soccer, as Guadalajara will host Cruz Azul this Saturday at 9:05 PM at the Akron Stadium, a match that in itself generates a lot of expectation, but which on this occasion comes at a crucial moment for the aspirations of both teams.
If Chivas wins, they would practically secure their direct ticket to La Liguilla, especially if they combine this with defeats by Tijuana, Atlético San Luis and Pumas. On the other hand, if La Máquina loses this match, they would be on the verge of elimination.
How do they look before the match?
- Chivas arrives at this match after a 1-2 win over Querétaro, which places them in fourth place overall with 24 points.
- Cruz Azul is coming off a 2-0 win over Bravos, placing them in fourteenth place with 14 points.
Do they have any injuries?
- Guadalajara will be not be able to count on having Ricardo Marín, who was sent off in the match against Gallos.
- La Máquina will not be able to count on Erik Lira, who is currently training with the U-23 National Team.
The refereeing corps
- The refereeing quartet for this match of Matchday 16 of the Apertura 2023 will be made up of Adonai Escobedo as center referee, Pablo Hernández as assistant 1 and Enrique Bustos as assistant 2, while Abraham Quirarte will be the fourth official.
Where to watch this match live?
- Click HERE and find out which channels will be broadcasting the match between Chivas and Cruz Azul.
Did you know that...?
- The last time they met was on Matchday 16 of CL23 and that day, Chivas won 2-1.
- The Rebaño's last 5 goals against La Máquina were scored in the second half.
- The biggest win in this rivalry in the history of short tournaments is in favor of Guadalajara, who defeated the Cementeros 4-1 in CL03.
- The rivalry's historical record is very even, as Chivas has 18 wins and Cruz Azul 18, while they have drawn on 24 occasions.
- Chivas has won 3 of their last 5 Liga MX games.
- Guadalajara has 58 successful crosses so far in AP23. This is the highest record for any team so far in the tournament.
- Cristián Calderón, who is the Rebaño's top assist man in the tournament (3), has an 87.9% passing success rate in his own half and a 65.5% success rate in the opponent's half.
- Ronaldo Cisneros has accumulated 2 goals against La Máquina. In fact, his goal gave Guadalajara the win in the previous tournament's match.
- Alejandro Mayorga, Roberto Alvarado, Carlos Salcedo, Alexis Gutiérrez, Ángel Sepúlveda and Uriel Antuna are the players from the current squads who have worn both jerseys.
- Fernando Beltrán is the Red and White player with the most minutes (1255) so far in the Apertura 2023. He has started every match and accumulated 93% of possible playing time.
