Stadium: Luis "Pirata" Fuente

Referee: Fabián Delgado Horcasitas

Veracruz

The partial fair image the team have gave since the opener have diminish as the matches goes by, in last match home need the referee help to beat Atlas 2-1 But in last match played against Santos in Corona stadium and they where clearly overcome, and although the score claim 2-0, the truth is that without a great display of GK Jorge Bernal for Veracruz they could had clearly take over four goals in that match. In first two matches their defensive only allowed on goal, but in last one allowed two goals. Their offensive doesn't scored last match as the first one of the three they have dispute where they where unable to make a goal.

For Veracruz this match is key as in last defeat against Santos they where left as the last place of percentage table (not counting Puebla as his cocient is highly variable), three points from Santos and four from Tigres, and would be key winning here in order not to fall back more there. But still the decision for relegation is this and the next tournament far.

One motivation for the team is that five players of Veracruz played last tournament with Tigres UANL and didn't leave the team in the best terms. Even coach Nery Pumpido had been before with Tigres UANL in 2003-2004, taking them to the final for the title.

Tigres UANL

Great expectations where upon the team with the arrival of Americo "Tolo" Gallego, but he has been unable to win in three matches, taking two defeats after the opener draw. First lost against Cruz Azul by an own goal and then in home lost against his ex-team Toluca by a single goal. The most worrying thing for Tigres UANL is that despite having high cost players they have been unable to score in those three matches. Tigres have not a single goal and are the worst offensive of the tournament.

The only positive thing that can be recover is their defense with continues with the good work of the preseason, something the offensive hasn't done, as they have only allowed two goals in thee matches for an average of under 1 goal per match total. And accumulates three consecutive under 2.5 goals. But winning matchs is what will bring them points more than strucking under 2.5 goals matches. The team is reaching his worst start of tournament.

In a cold analysis, Tigres have manage one of the principles of winning championships and that is a good defense as in three matches in none had allowed more than one goal. But as their offensive isn't working they aren't taking the needed points, but this could be reverted soon as he has quality strikers like FW Francisco Fonseca, FW Walter Gaitan and FW Sebastian Abrue.

Abreu declared he isn't in his best form after America Cup, from the three matches only in one has played the full 90 minutes. In the last four seasons the most Abreu has gone without scoring has been three matches something that here is already accomplish, so he should get back to scoring soon. Despite this changes in the team are expected and could be bench, FW Abre, MF Mariño and even FW Gaitan, for players like MF Juan Pablo García, who had a good end of last season, and MF Antonio Sancho who was starting player in Pumas UNAM last season, and in the start of this season both players haven't been taken into consideration.

If a combination of results is given, then Tigres could drop to the last place of the general table and pressure in the north state will be growing quickly.

Injured:

MF Alejandro Villalobos (doubtfoul)

Match:

Although the match holds implications in relegation race, both teams inside the bottom four in percentage table, as it would be decided next season, it isn't very tense for that reason. More because both teams need the victory, Tigres more as they have been unable of scoring. It is expected a tight match with Tigres favoring the defensive zone more than attack, and expecting in counterattack to score, avoiding their own mistakes that in last matches had them loosing. For Veracruz is showing good group work and there relays their force.

Prediction:

Interesting match, as is to see if Tigres can revert their current situation, I expecte Tigres to be laid back and look for counterattack if something have Americo "Tolo" Gallego's teams distinguish for is defensive teams that go counterattacking. This could be the match for tigres to finally score, altought it has to be kept in mind that the draw would be fine for Tigres coach. Veracruz showed good group work still missing important chances, and being home would force them to take iniciative, key will be GK worked. I sense for this that Tigres 0AH is a good option. As I don't see Tigres loosing here, Veracruz is a fair team but going the other side.

Pick : Tigres UANL
Odds : 1.75
Stake : 8 / 10
Bookmaker : Bet365
Date : 2007-08-25
Match Result :
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