Stadium: Nemesio Diez

Referee: Germán Valentín Arredondo

Serie: 27GP - 11 Wins for CD Toluca - 9 Draws - 7 Wins for Pachuca

Last two matches that was semifinal of last tournament Pachuca was unable to beat in them in the serie.

CD Toluca

Last match the team went to Laguna to encounter Santos, Toluca went to laid back and counterattack and more because Santos get an early goal that really was an own goal of Toluca DF Emilio Hasan Viades, provoke Toluca to be more aggresive, but in the first half apart from some chances the team didn't score.

In second half, in the ecuator of it, DF Sergio Amaury Ponce score for Toluca to provide the draw, which Toluca consider enough and relay on their good defense to take the point home. But substitutions in Santos worked and Santos MF Walter Jimenez emerge as a hero to score the winning goal seven minutes to the end of the match, this after the fans didn't aprove his inclusion on the match.

This defeat for Toluca is the first time this season they get a negative streak with two consecutive matches lossing. If Toluca has characterize for something was draws, but now as the offensive part is being the weak side the team need to work more on, as on defense they have quality but mistakes without the support of an offensive power are being lethal.

With their situation on the local tournament almost compromise and near elimination from qualifing to playoffs, Toluca went to Bolivia for their Libertadores Cup match against Bolivar. Toluca show their characteristics in that match where they play with their best squad, the defense was solid directed by GK Hernan Cristante and the offensive produce goals, first MF Sergio Amaury Ponce score the opener and great in form MF/FW Vicente Sanchez score the victory goal when two minutes where left to kill any hopes of Bolivar. With this victory the team have on their power their destiny and close with a match in home against Cienciano, so they are almost on the next phase.

Now the team go back to this tournament where their chances are each time less and near elimination. For the good of the team could speak their defense still aren't so impressive as last tournament when hardly someone score to them. The offensive is the pending task. Still with their performance on Libertadores Cup, the team receive a boost and have high morale. For us is up to be seen if they can show they are back as result against Bolivar make us think.

Pachuca

Last weekend the team won 3-0 to Jaguares in a match they played with the main defense and from there to forwards a lot of substitutes to get the team rested for the heavy schedule that the team have ahead of them. In that match the team showed the youth players are performing and claiming for a place as also that Pachuca knows how to attack, control the rivals and walking take the victory.

In midweek the team face their pending match of round 10 against Tigres, match where Pachuca as being the leader and the one that better football is showing, was marked favorite. On the pitch the team field their best eleven, with no reserves showing that altought qualification to playoffs is secure they are going to fight every match. Due to this Tigres looked like the victim. But on the pitch everything can happen and that was showed as in the ecuator of the first half, DF Marvin Cabrera scored an own goal when a rebound shoot that hit on the post hit him and the ball went inside his now net. Pachuca pressed and generate many scoring chances, but if something Tigres showed that was absolute good defense this highlights the qualities of Tigres GK Cirilo Saucedo. But before the end of the second half, Tigres was able to scored the second goal, after a trough pass of Tigres MF Walter Gaitan that FW "Kikin" Fonseca resolve with quality infront of Pachuca GK Miguel Calero to take the lead 2-0.

In the second half, Pachuca continue pressing, and generating goal opportunities, but some of the main players like MF Damian Alvarez and MF Caballero didn't appear for Pachuca this time, and altought MF "Chaco" Gimenez make efforts to connect with FW Cacho, they where unable to score. Tigres relay on counterattack to make more danger, but Pachuca didn't allow it. Even on the end of the match MF "Chaco" Giemenez put a free kick shoot on the post.

Altought lossing the team have secure their participation on playoffs for the title and still has a four lead points over second place Cruz Azul in the overall table. The defeat broke several streaks: seven consecutive victories (club record), 12 matches unbeaten, two consecutive matches away without allowing goal, and four matches with over 2.5 scorelines.

But is so impressive his form to rule this tournament that their place on the statics table continue untouched, first offensive of the tournament with 29 goals in 14 matches, just three matches without scoring. In defense the team is the best with 11 goals allowed in 14 matches, just in five matches have allowed goal, to collect 9 clean sheets.

Now for this match the team hit the road again to face Toluca, team that has no margin of error and could get eliminated in this match of the posibility to get a place in playoffs. Pachuca will face on midweek the first leg of CONCACAF Champions Cup and players could be rested so they get in better shape to that match.

Match:

The match will continue to be like the others recent ones, tought defense will preavial and few goals will be present. Pachuca and Toluca played different styles and t they hail the other spaces works.

Prediction:

For first because of tought defense both teams posses the match will have few goals and will be decided by individualities, with two great GK Cristante (Toluca) and GK Calero (Pachuca) it will be hard to score. So Under 2.5.

Pick : Under 2.5
Odds : 1.90
Stake : 7 / 10
Bookmaker : Bet365
Date : 2007-04-16
Match Result :
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