Atlas vs Club America Odds, Prediction, Picks
Atlas vs Club America Odds Prediction
Club America will head to the Jalisco Stadium as the favorites against Atlas. It is expected to be a close contest, with the home side eager to make a statement against the heavyweights. Both clubs will be desperate to get a win on board to change their position in the league standings.
A depleted Club America will look to take inspiration from their last away victory in the domestic league against Guadalajara. Uruguayan forward Jonathan Rodriguez (16’,38’) netted a brace for Club America in the first half while Leonardo Suarez netted a third in the 42nd minute to allow the club to take a 3-0 lead in the first 45 minutes.
The visitors further stamped their authority in the match with a goal from their talisman Henry Martin in the 53rd minute and an own goal by Emilio Lara (62’) cut short the deficit for the hosts with Sergio Florez (72’) and Victor Guzman (90+7’).
However, the win was recorded under their caretaker manager Fernando Ortiz, and the new coach Andre Jardine will have plenty to prove for his club.
Meanwhile, Atlas will be confident and eager to defend their fortress after their 10-man side secured a 2-0 win over Cruz Azul in their last home fixture. The hosts scored early through Eduardo Agguire (5’) and Aldo Rocha (72’). However, they went a man down in injury time after Brian Lozano was sent off.
Atlas and Club America have faced off 13 times in Liga MX since July 2018. Club America has maintained its dominance over Atlas with seven wins. Atlas has clinched four wins, while two games ended in a draw.
The recent rivalry between Atlas and Club America has been closely fought. Their previous meeting in February ended in a 2-2 stalemate. Rodriguez gave Club America the lead in the 31st minute, with Martin adding a second in the 40th. However, a brace from Brian Lozano (45+3’, 68’) restored parity for the hosts.
Club America will look to better their away record in the upcoming fixture, as they have secured three wins, one loss, and a draw in their last five outings. Atlas, meanwhile, will look to impose authority at their fortress after securing three draws and two wins in their last two matches.
Atlas Keen to Take Positives From the Leagues Cup
Underdogs Atlas will be keen to take a fresh guard in Liga MX after their positive run in the Leagues Cup. The Mexican outfit managed to advance to the knockout stage of the Leagues Cup with a major boost.
Atlas overcame New York City 1-0 in the first group stage match before defeating Toronto 1-0 in their second fixture to advance to the Round of 32. The club showed resilience in the knockout stage, with a 10-man side securing a 2-2 draw in regulation time against New England. However, their campaign ended after a 7-8 loss in penalties.
Atlas to Display Attacking Intent
The hosts will be keen to exploit Club America’s injury woes and display attacking intent in the upcoming fixture. Atlas has a decent record at home. They will look to make merry with the Club America defense without Caceres' services. It will be a golden opportunity for the hosts to get at least one point on board from this fixture.
Midfield Battle Key For Atlas
Atlas has maintained an organized approach in the midfield throughout the season. It will be important for the hosts to hold their shape to disallow a formidable Club America line-up to create space and gain time on the ball in the midfield. If the hosts can maintain their set-up in the midfield, then they will have the upper hand in the contest.
Meanwhile, the likes of Mateo Garcia, Jordy Caicedo, and Aldo Rocha will be the key in front of the goals for Atlas. Ecuadorian forward Caicedo will be eager to bring his goal-scoring boots back to the domestic league after scoring twice in three fixtures of the Leagues Cup.
Club America Look to Put Behind Leagues Cup Disappointment
Club America was one of the favorites to win the Leagues Cup. But their campaign was marred by injuries as they were knocked out in the Round of 16 stages.
The Mexican outfit began their campaign in the knockout stage with their 10-man side holding to a 1-0 win over Chicago. However, after losing the Round of 16 clashes 6-5 against Nashville, their campaign ended. The club will look to pick up positives from their resilient display in the Leagues Cup and display a more rejuvenated approach in the domestic league.
Major Injury Concerns For Club America
However, the major concern for Jardine will be to assemble a formidable XI with injuries looming large on his side. Club America will head into the fixture without the services of their talismanic striker Henry Martin and premier central defender Sebastian Caceres. The duo suffered injuries during their Leagues Cup campaign, which caused a major setback for the club.
It will be up to Club America to show their character without Martin, who has been their leading goal scorer in the last two seasons. The Las Aguilas will also have to resolve their defensive woes without the services of their most consistent defender, Caceres.
Moreover, the visitors will be without Alvaro Fidalgo in the upcoming fixture. The Spanish midfielder is serving his last game suspension after being sent off in the semi-finals against Chivas last season. The injuries and suspensions mean the club will rely heavily on their bench to take them home in the upcoming fixture.
New Recruit Returns to His Former Home
However, in the face of adversity, the major goal-scoring responsibility will shift to their new recruit, Julian Quinones. The Colombian forward will be the center of attraction in the fixture as he returns to play against his former side Atlas at the Jalisco Stadium.
It will, however, be interesting to see how the home fans welcome him after he secured two consecutive titles for Atlas during his stint before moving on. However, Quinones has not been consistent for Club America since joining the club. But the goal-scoring responsibilities will shift toward him in the absence of Martin.
In the last few appearances for Club America, he has struggled to hold up the team attack as the lone striker, and there will be pressure on him to prove his potential against his former club.
