Necaxa
- Necaxa have been inconsistent but have some attacking talent.
- Necaxa, who are a high-tempo, high-energy team, have a compact shape, pressing all over the field, and very quick counter-pressing and transition play.
- Necaxa have shown streaky form during their last five matches in all competitions, taking two convincing home wins - 3-0 against Tijuana and 2-1 against Mazatlán - but then losing to Pumas and Querétaro and drawing with Puebla.
- Alexis Peña and Badaloni will have to supply the creative play for Javier Ruiz, who scored a brace in the 3-0 win over Tijuana and remains their principal scoring outlet.
Tigres
- Tigres are very much a possession-first team that control the tempo and will look to create overloads in wide areas and behind the defense by patient build-up play, controlled pressing and a willingness to attack the wide areas.
- They have a lot of attacking talent to finish chances off and an aging talisman in André-Pierre Gignac who will always be a threat to score important goals.
- Tigres are coming off a confidence-boosting 2-0 win against Seattle Sounders in CONCACAF.
- Tigres have had an up-and-down start to their campaign, dropping points away to FC Juárez and Club América, then losing at Tijuana, but got back to their old winning ways in their last two, defeating Seattle Sounders 2-0 in a midweek CONCACAF game and Guadalajara 4-1 on Saturday.
- Midweek CONCACAF soccer could mean some rotation or tired legs for Tigres, but it could also give Necaxa a chance to exploit in the second half when the heat of the afternoon is likely to take over.
Head-to-Head
Tigres have won 16, lost nine and drawn 10 of 35 head-to-head games against Necaxa in the modern era, so they have the historical edge.
Key Players
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Angel Correa has been a key figure for Tigres of late with goals and assists, while Juan Brunetta and Marcelo Flores add more quality to a potent attack.
- Angel Correa
- Juan Brunetta
- Marcelo Flores
- André-Pierre Gignac
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Alexis Peña and Badaloni will have to supply the creative play for Javier Ruiz, who scored a brace in the 3-0 win over Tijuana and remains their principal scoring outlet.
- Alexis Peña
- Badaloni
- Javier Ruiz
Betting Insights
- Tigres are 1.95 favourites to win with Necaxa 3.6, draw 3.55.
- The main market to consider is Over 2.5 goals at 1.8 because both teams will get chances to attack in this stylistic clash.
Prediction
But Necaxa will be desperate for three points at home and Ruiz is in good form, so I am taking them to keep it close, but the main selection is Over 2.5 goals at 1.8 .
