Stadium: Universitario

Referee: Germán Valentín Arredondo Ramírez

Serie: 25 GP - 7 Wins for Tigres UANL - 5 Draws - 13 Wins for Cruz Azul

In last nine matches between them Tigres UANL hasn't been able to defeat Cruz Azul.

Tigres UANL

Current Numbers: 1GP - 0W - 1D - 0L 1GF 1GA 1 point

Tigres for the first time in many season stayed with the same coach of last season and even gave him more support taking him the players he asked, as FW Lucas Lobos arrived from Spain and FW Gaston "Gata" Fernandez arrived from Argentina, even during last week FW Blas Perez arrived from Spain to the team.

Tigres continue to show the trademark of Coach Gallego, with a defensive playing style that get more focus when playing on away, and works with counterattacks more on away than on home. And what happens when they encounter a team with the same playing style as San Luis is? the result is that each team neutralize the other. During last match both teamsa battle in the middlefield to take control of the ball but that was the most they could do, as arriving to the defense, the ball was quickly send out of view by each defense. It was until the second half where scoring chances appear and MF Marcelo Guerrero scored for San Luis, this change a little bit the style of the match as Tigres coach Americo "Tolo" Gallego send in FW Francisco Fonseca and the team get more scoring chances, and it was 10 minutes before the end of the match when FW Gaston "Gata" Fernandez scored the equalizer for Tigres. In the final minutes the match witness more scoring chances for both teams as neither of them want the draw, but it finally stand.

This match marked the debut of FW Lucas Lobos, and the reapperance of FW Gaston "Gata" Fernandez (after a phase in Argentina) in Mexico, for their first match they battle against a tought defense and is to remark that both players combine for Tigres goal. Together with MF Guillermo Marino the team has showed a better playmaking and above that more offensive atitude

FW Blas Perez arrived to the team on Wednesday and since he has been training as was an active player in Hercules (Second Div. Spain) is fit to see action in this match if coach Americo "Tolo" Gallego decides it. In positive recovers DF Fabian Cubero, which was suspended during last round.

But everything couldn't be pink color for Tigres, as three of his GK are injured and the coach should pick youth E. Palos, which should have capacity to be on the team, but his lack of experience will be against him, and this is a heavy blow for the team.

Doutbfoul:

GK Cirilo Saucedo

Injured:

GK Adrián Zermeño

GK Yair Urbina

Cruz Azul

Current Numbers: 1GP - 0W - 1D - 0L 1GF 1GA 1 point

Cruz Azul open the tournament after the desillusion that was Interliga, where they reached the Final, and lost the ticket to Libertadores cup in the penalty serie. The match was dispute and both teams had possesion of the ball, but Cruz Azul enjoy the best scoring chances, but despite that was Santos the team that scored first when DF F. Ortiz make a header goal after a corner kick of MF Daniel Ludueña. Cruz Azul didn't gave up and continue to dominate most scoring chances even that Santos was laid back and altought MF Riveros has a great chance he fail to kick and send the ball outside the field. Even the goal posts where against them, whenever it was the post or the goal keeper it was hard for Cruz Azul to scored but finally MF C. Riveros was able to scored a goal to take the equalizer to the score. Cruz Azul continue to try to scored but was unable and Santos was also dangerous in counterattacks.

In the attack Cruz Azul make good scoring chances but MF Edgar Andrade lack of his partern in attack FW Cesar Villaluz, which is going to fullfill his second suspension match and will be back for the round three. It is expected that FW Miguel Sabah returns to the starting eleven for this match, and will be together Vigneri & Andrade. Even on the bench they have quality as Paraguay national team member FW Zeballos hasn't debut and will be ready to come out from the bench.

The most remarkable thing for the team is that now every player runs and give the last breath to fight for the ball and this is someting positive.

Suspended:

FW Cesar Villaluz

Match:

A very intense match and that will have plenty of scoring chances from both teams, I sense that Tigres and Cruz Azul have strong middlefield and there is where the fight will be deal mostly. In defense Cruz Azul seems better, but since Tigres coach "Tolo" Gallego likes to play defensively then it is equal.

Prediction:

Teams very equal until consider the GK, there with the participation of the youth GK for Tigres, this makes that Cruz Azul is given more value, and that prediction should go wit them. Cruz Azul generates good scoring chances just need the accuracy to score them, meanwile Tigres will play defensive, still proposing the match because on home, but I sense the value is on the away side, due to the GK.

Pick : Cruz Azul de Mexico
Odds : 1.77
Stake : 7 / 10
Bookmaker : VCbet
Date : 2008-01-27
Match Result :
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