Mineros de Zacatecas (home)
- Mineros are led by Luis Ángel Muñoz, a pragmatic manager who has this squad set up to play a possession-based, build-up style, but are much more effective when they can play patiently and transition the ball vertically onto the two strikers.
- Mauro Pérez, who scored in the 3-0 quarterfinal home win and who has consistently found the net this campaign, has been instrumental for Mineros.
- Mineros secured a playoff spot with 21 points.
Tepatitlán de Morelos (away)
- Tepatitlán are managed by Gabriel Pereyra, who has set up his team to be as compact as possible, in a low-to-mid block and they are at their best when they can counter-attack quickly, with Amaury Escoto, with 5 goals in this Clausura, their biggest threat.
- Tepatitlán have lost only once in their last five matches and got past Atlante in their quarterfinal in a tense, controversy-tinged series.
- Tepatitlán finished the Clausura as top seed with 26 points.
Head-to-Head
Mineros have the better head-to-head , winning seven to Tepatitlán's three, with six draws in all competitions.
Key Players
- Mauro Pérez and Francisco López have come through when needed for Mineros, with both scoring goals that helped put them into the semifinals.
- Bryan Mendoza has done the same for Tepatitlán, scoring some important goals in both the regular season and the knockout rounds, so we will take him to be Tepatitlán’s best chance for a goal in this clash.
- Amaury Escoto is highlighted as Tepatitlán’s main counter-attacking threat with 5 goals in this Clausura.
Betting Insights
- Mineros are slight favorites, listed at 2.25, Tepatitlán at 3.02 and draw at 3.3.
- Both teams to score looks like the best bet at 1.64 as Tepatitlán’s strategy should keep the game tight while Mineros will get their chances on the counter.
Prediction
- This semifinal should be a chess match of control versus transition, with Mineros favored at home where they have a better head-to-head record against Tepatitlán.
- Mineros are the slight favorites, but Tepatitlán are the top-seeded team and will look to frustrate their hosts.
