This international break is giving us an extra dose of Mexican soccer’s leading rivalry between Chivas Guadalajara and Club America. The two bitter rivals will meet at NRG Stadium in Texas on Sunday — just over one month since their last league meeting which was won 1-0 by America. Both will be keen to get back to top form ahead of the resumption of Liga MX Apertura action with Chivas also coming into this with an interim head coach in Arturo Ortega after Fernando Gago’s departure was confirmed with the Argentine expected to be official appointed Boca Juniors’ new boss.
Here’s our storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Sunday, October 13 | Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
- Location: NRG Stadium — Houston, Texas
- Watch: Telemundo | Stream: Fubo (try for free)
Apertura form
Chivas are currently assessing their options to replace Gago and whoever comes in will inherit an inconsistent side which has four wins, three draws and four defeats to date. A 3-2 loss at home to Atlas last time out places Chivas in ninth position overall in the Apertura standings. That is just one point better than the defending Mexican champions with America down in 10th with four wins, two draws and five losses. Andre Jardine’s Aguilas are targeting a playoffs berth either directly or via a play-in but it will require improved form with a draw away at Leon last time out to place just behind Rebano Sagrado.
Team news
Chivas: Victor Guzman and Erick Gutierrez have not made the trip to Texas which could open the door to Omar Govea. Jose Castillo is also absent which could bring Mateo Chavez into play while Oscar Whalley should start ahead of Raul Rangel in goal. Rangel is with Roberto Alvarado and Jesus Gilberto Orozco Chiquete are with the senior national team while Javier Hernandez, Cade Cowell, and Armando Gonzalez are all injured.
Possible Chivas XI: Oscar Whalley; Antonio Briseno, Gilberto Sepulveda, Mateo Chavez, Jesus Sanchez; Omar Govea, Fernando Beltran, Victor Guzman; Carlos Cisneros, Yael Padilla, Ricardo Marin.
America: Henry Martin and Luis Malagon are with the senior Mexican side while the USMNT’s Alejandro Zendejas is on international duty along with Cristian Borja, Diego Valdes and Sebastian Caceres. Brian Rodriguez is injured and joins Erick Sanchez, Nestor Araujo and Igor Lichnovsky in the treatment bay.
Possible America XI: Rodolfo Cota; Ramon Juarez, Miguel Vazquez, Cristian Calderon, Kevin Alvarez; Richard Sanchez, Jonathan Dos Santos, Alvaro Fidalgo; Javairo Dilrosun, Rodrigo Aguirre, Víctor Davila.
Prediction
Although the Clasico de Clasicos will always attract a crowd, this one will certainly not be the most complete version of it given the players missing. Taking all of that into account on top of Gago’s departure, this one is likely going to end in a score draw. Pick: America 1, Chivas 1.
