Last Updated on April 29, 2024 8:33 pm by Erwin Noguera
There are only two places left to define the Clausura MX 2024 Playoffs, and these will be known at the end of the Play-In, which has yielded two interesting keys at the end of the 17th matchday.
On the one hand, Pachuca, a team with immense offensive power, and on the other hand, Pumas UNAM, a historical club that seeks to become champion again.
The other key has Necaxa, which has not been able to maintain the leading positions it once occupied this semester, and Querétaro, which can be considered a surprise among the participants.
Liga MX Play-In Format
It is important to remember the Play-In format in Mexico. As Pachuca and Pumas finished seventh and eighth, respectively, the winner of the match will face the second-placed team from the first phase, in this case, Cruz Azul.
The loser has one more life, as it will face the winner between Necaxa (9th) and Querétaro (10th). The winner will get the last place, and the prize will be to face the best team in the country: Club América.
Clausura MX 2024 Play-In: Necaxa vs. Querétaro
When and Where?
Thursday, May 2, 10:00 pm ET at the Estadio Victoria Aguascalientes
Moneyline odds:
Necaxa (Soon)
Querétaro (Soon)
Draw Offs:
(Soon)
Where Can I Watch?
TUDN
Necaxa, at some point in the campaign, was fighting for the top places in Liga MX, but that good stretch began to be overshadowed in the final games, which is why they finished ninth.
The Electricos scored 27 points and lost their last two matches against Tigres and Monterrey. Offensively, they scored 30 goals but allowed 29, which explains their drop in performance.
But they have a player to follow closely in the form of Colombian forward Deiber Cambindo, who finished the first phase with eight goals and has, so far, won the Golden Boot.
In his home stadium, they finished with 15 points out of a possible 27, a figure that is nothing to get excited about.
Querétaro, on the other hand, finished tenth with 24 points, taking one point from the last nine. However, given the expectations for the Gallos, their qualification for the Play-In is a meritorious achievement.
Their defense played an acceptable role, allowing only 21 goals, but offensively, they fell a little short, with 22.
Despite the last loss to Chivas, this team had won four straight away games. Moreover, they finished the first phase as the team with the fourth-highest number of points scored away from home (14).
Their leading scorer was Pablo Barrera, who scored five goals and dished out five assists.
Necaxa vs. Querétaro Betting Pick: Necaxa
Clausura MX 2024 Play-In: Pachuca vs. Pumas
When and Where?
Friday, May 3, 10:00 pm ET at the Estadio Hidalgo
Moneyline odds:
Pachuca (Soon)
Pumas (Soon)
Draw Offs:
(Soon)
Where Can I Watch?
TUDN
Pachuca is one of the best teams in Liga MX. However, it went from fighting for the top spot in the round-robin to finishing in seventh place with 29 points. Probably, having to play in the Concacaf Champions Cup caused them to downplay the importance of the local tournament.
The Tuzos can take pride in their 34 goals, which made them the second team with the second-highest scoring quota, only surpassed by Toluca’s 38. They also have Salomón Rondón as their top scorer, with eight goals and two assists.
Pachuca has been an inconsistent home team, with five wins, one draw, and two defeats. They have only taken one of their last 12 points at home.
Pumas went from being a team with no chances to at least qualifying for the Play-In, obtaining points in the last five games it played.
The Felinos achieved a great victory against América and drew with Cruz Azul. In other words, they took points from the two best teams in Liga MX. It is also worth noting that they beat Pachuca 3-1 at home, with goals from Ulises Rivas and Eduardo Salvio in duplicate.
They are not a good visitor, having won only once in eight games. Their best scorer is the Argentinean winger “Toto” Salvio, with five goals.
Pachuca vs. Pumas Betting Pick: Pachuca
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