Stadium: Azul

Referee: Gabriel Gómez Romero

Serie: 25GP - 10 Wins for Cruz Azul - 6 Draws - 9 Wins for Toluca

Last three matches that Cruz Azul is unable to beat Toluca and last two have been 1-1 draws.

Cruz Azul

Last match the team went to Chiapas to play against Jaguares, match with high temperature and that Jaguares had control for most of the match, Jaguarse score first due to a goal of FW Alejandro Vela to take the lead. For second half, the match change as Cruz Azul MF Israel Lopez was expelled in minute '51 leaving Cruz Azul in disadvantage, Jaguares Chiapas take advantage of that eight minutes later as they scored another goal, this time FW Javier Campora, which sends the player to the top of the scorers table. Cruz Azul didn't gave up and attacked, this provide goal opportunities for both teams, but it was Cruz Azul who showed more accuracy as in minute '71 FW Jared Borguetti score a header goal from a pass of MF Rogelio Chavez.

Another expulsion was to change the step of the match as near the end of it Jaguares MF Felipe de Jesus Ayala was expelled which provoke Cruz Azul to go looking for the equalizer, which came five minutes later as a thrown in, gets centered to the area by Cruz Azul DF Joel Huiqui and after some rebounds fall to the feet of Cruz Azul FW Miguel Sabah who score the goal that gave the draw to Cruz Azul. So Cruz Azul save a point from Chiapas when it was almost lost.

The team has secure at least reclasification for mexican league playoffs. and are looking to secure direct participation in mexican league playoffs, and they can achieve it if they won this match or Atlas lost, in case of a draw, a draw from Atlas or defeat will send them straight to next stage.

In last five matches the team have showed an irregular performance, in home, the team is one of the best and has a streak of four consecutive victories, showing high scoring, with the last three of them being high scoring matches. Away from Azul stadium, the team suffers, and had taken two consecutive defeats, until they final score on away and take a draw against Jaguares. This breaks a streak of three matches away without scoring. In last two matches the team have score and also allowed goals, and it has been two matches without clean sheets.

The team is the fifth best offensive of the tournament with 22 goals in 15 matches, still on last two matches the team have score 6 goals what boost their position on the table. For defending the team is the fifth best defense with only allowed 15 goals, still on last four had allowed four goals, which is speaking of lack of defending on last matches.

The shadow that goes above the team is the disciplinary, area where they are the second worst with seven red cards, expelled players that leave their team with disadvantage when facing a match. Team players have raise the voice to claim that there referees have something with them as in the four matches they have at least face a red card. The absence of MF Irael Lopez is important as he is the goal pass leader of the team.

Suspended:

MF Israel Lopez

Injured:

DF Salvador Carmona

MF Gabriel Pereyra (doubtfoul)

Toluca

Last match Toluca received in home first place Pachuca, team that continues with their player rotation to mantain their players fresh and ready. Toluca played their last chance to be with serious posibilities to get to mexican playoffs, as they field their best lineup. But the destiny have something else prepare for the team, as it was Pachuca who take the goal by FW Omar Arellano Riveron in the first half to take the lead. The first half end with boring as both teams wheren't so focus on attacking.

For second half Toluca came out with a more offensive display and enjoy of better chances but the ball didn't get to Pachuca net. Even i twas otherwise as the ball get inside Toluca net as Pachuca MF Damian Alverez scored from a pass of MF Christian Gimenez. Toluca with this lost practically all their chance to be on mexican playoffs. There is a slightly mathematical chance for the team but it is a lot less likely that it happens.

Because of this fact and that in midweek the team will play against Cienciano on home for Libertadores Cup place in next round, is that the team will field substitutes as this tournament is almost practically lost and all their hopes relay now on Libertadores Cup where they haver a good chance to advance to next round, they just depend of themselves.

Toluca last threee matches the team have completely lost the track that characteriz them, after twelve rounds with just one defeat in the last three they have taken three consecutives defeat, two of them in home. Still last match the team goes back to under 2.5 goals scoreline, which the team had obtan 10 matches of those in the season, just winning two of them. Previous two matches the team had obtain two over 2.5 goals scoreline. Have claimed six clean sheets this season.

The team worst feature is the scoring, where this season the club has showed almost nothing, is the third worst attack of the tournament, have only score on 10 matches and have go 5 more without scoring. FW Erwin Avalos have enjoy of the patience of coach Americo "Tolo" Gallego, as the player haven't score a goal since his arrival to México, and the fans of Toluca have get with him and even shout the name "Cardozo" on the stands remembering the great paraguay forward that leave the team two years ago. But I expect he could gave him some minutes in this away match.

Now that the team will play with substitutes doesn't mean Toluca is a secure victim as the youth players have showed in Libertadores Cup and on this tournament last season that they are up to the task and could end up taking a good result. The substitute GK had seen action on five matches this season, with only one defeat, two victories and two draws. It was common that when the main GK played on Libertadores Cup match the next match in mexico league was played by GK Cesar Lozano, so on the net we have security. So in reality the subtittutes players aren't easy to beat.

I expect the team to continue showing their defensive system display with counterattack and good playmaking, but with a some less power. But not because of that easy to beat.

Suspended:

MF Antonio Naelson Sinha

Match

Not an easy match for Cruz Azul as the alternative youth team of Toluca isn't so uncover, with a GK that has alternate with the main one during the season, a forward that needs to exploit as FW Erwin Avalos, the team has build a competitive squad, not at the level of the main one, but with a lot of energy that will make Cruz Azul not have an easy match. Cruz Azul needs that the team shows their category and their starts players to perform but as the reclasification ticket is secure and playoffs are near coach Mizrahi could reserve them. But an intense match that is for sure.

Prediction:

I don't see such an easy match for Cruz Azul as the odds suggest, in reality I expect Toluca to put a fierce stand and that they put Cruz Azul in a hard moment, still on home Cruz Azul have been making good things, so for me I found value on Toluca 1AH 3/10, I really see a youth consolidated team.

Pick : CD Toluca
Odds : 1.70
Stake : 6 / 10
Bookmaker : Bet365
Date : 2007-04-22
Match Result :
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