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This international breakthrough gives us an extra dose of the most important rivalry in Mexican football between Chivas Guadalajara and Club America. The two bitter rivals meet on Sunday at the NRG Stadium in Texas, just over a month after their last league match, which was won 1-0 by America. Both will be keen to get back into 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 and the Argentine is expected to become official named Boca Juniors’ new boss.
Here are our storylines, how to watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Sunday October 13 | Time: 5:30 PM ET
- Location: NRG Stadium – Houston, Texas
- Watch: Telemundo | Current: Fubo (try for free)
Opening shape
Chivas are currently assessing their options to replace Gago and whoever comes in will inherit an inconsistent side that has recorded four wins, three draws and four defeats so far. A 3-2 defeat at home to Atlas last time out leaves Chivas ninth overall in the Apertura standings. That is just one point better than the defending Mexican champions, with America in tenth place with four wins, two draws and five losses. André Jardine’s Aguilas are aiming for a place in the play-offs, either directly or via a play-in, but it will require improved form with a draw against Leon last time out to move just behind Rebano Sagrado.
Team news
Chivas: Victor Guzman and Erick Gutierrez didn’t make the trip to Texas that could open the door for Omar Govea. Jose Castillo is also absent, which could bring Mateo Chavez into the game, while Oscar Whalley should start ahead of Raul Rangel in goal. Rangel is with Roberto Alvarado and Jesus Gilberto Orozco Chiquete on 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 squad, 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 room.
Possible America XI: Rodolfo Cota; Ramon Juarez, Miguel Vazquez, Cristian Calderon, Kevin Alvarez; Richard Sánchez, Jonathan Dos Santos, Alvaro Fidalgo; Javairo Dilrosun, Rodrigo Aguirre, Víctor Davila.
Prediction
Although the Clasico de Clasicos will always attract a large crowd, this will certainly not be the most complete version of it given the missing players. Taking all that into account, along with Gago’s departure, this will likely end in a draw. Choose: America 1, Chivas 1.