Club Leon vs. Tigres UANL Odds, Prediction, Picks

WSN

17 January 2024

Club Leon vs. Tigres UANL Odds, Prediction, Picks

Club Leon vs. Tigres UANL Predictions

After lifting the CONCACAF Champions League trophy last season, expectations were quite high for Leon in Liga MX. However, the side finished two points off the last playoff spot and nabbed a play-in spot in eighth place. Leon took the tough road but still made the playoffs but their voyage could not have been shorter as they were eliminated in the first round by Club America.

Apart from Club America, Tigres UANL were strong favorites to lift the Apertura 2023 title. The eight-time Liga MX champions played well after winning the Clausura 2023 title and were on the brink of winning their ninth top-division title, but they faltered at the most critical stage and fell prey to a formidable Club America side. In the current Clausura 2024 season, Tigres will certainly chase the title again and will be among the top favorites.

Playing against Club Leon in their own backyard has been quite tricky for Tigres UANL in the past, but on this occasion, there is a huge contrast of quality between the two rosters. Based on that and a few other aspects, it seems that Tigres UANL will clinch all three points.

Including multiple Liga MX playoff encounters, these two clubs have met 32 across all competitions. Tigres have the slightly better record with 13 wins, while Leon have emerged victorious on ten occasions. The other nine matches have ended in draws.

In the Apertura 2023 season, Tigres hosted Leon and clinched all three points after a narrow win. Veteran striker Andre-Pierre Gignac scored the only goal of the match in the fourth minute. The visitors huffed and puffed for an equalizer, but Nahuel Guzman kept them at bay.

On their way to glory last year, Leon beat Tigres in the Champions League semi-final. Tigres won the first leg 2-1 but suffered a 3-1 defeat at Estadio Leon and were eliminated from the competition in which they were among the favorites to win.

A Fresh Start for Club Leon Under New Management

After a disappointing outcome in Liga MX during the Apertura 2023 season, Leon fell to a shocking 1-0 defeat against Japanese top-division side Urawa Red Diamonds in the Club World Cup, which resulted in a first-round elimination.

Unsatisfied with the overall performance, the club parted ways with Nicolas Larcamon and replaced him with Jorge Bava. The Uruguayan guided his local top-division side, Liverpool FC, to their first-ever league title last season.

Bava is ready for a new challenge and will make his Liga MX debut as a manager. The former Atlas FC player has some experience in the league as a player, and it will be interesting to see how he performs in Leon’s dugout.

A New Face in Leon’s Midfield

Bava is not the only individual Leon have snatched away from Liverpool FC this year. Gonzalo Napoli has reunited with his former coach and will make his Liga MX debut Leon this Clausura 2024 season.

The 23-year-old made 46 appearances for Liverpool FC last year, becoming a key figure in the midfield, and also got on the scoresheet on five occasions.

The Hosts Are a Tough Nut to Crack at Home

In the Apertura 2023 season, Leon played nine games at home and lost just one of those. The club won five and drew three of the rest.

While they picked up 18 points at home, they could only secure five on the road after winning just one out of eight away games all season - a problem Bava will focus on fixing this season.

Marquee Signing Expected to Boost Tigres Attack

The biggest transfer in the Mexican market this season has been Juan Brunetta's sensational move from Santos Laguna to Tigres UANL. The Argentine scored ten goals and registered 11 assists in 18 appearances in the Apertura 2023 season, finishing with the most goal contributions.

The midfielder was also the leading assist provider in Liga MX last season. This is not the first time Tigres have snatched a top attacking midfielder from Santos, as they did the same with Fernando Gorriaran last year.

However, the Gorriaran transfer did not work out so well for the eight-time Liga MX champions, as he registered only four assists in 22 appearances for the club. Now, Brunetta could keep his former Santos teammate on the bench at Tigres.

The Visitors Will Start the New Season Without Key Winger

Tigres were on the verge of winning back-to-back Liga MX titles before a prolific Club America side halted them in the final. The eight-time top-division champions not only lost the final but also lost their star winger, Luis Quinones, to a red card in the first leg of the final.

The Colombian will serve his suspension against Leon and will return to the side for the games after that. Quinones provided four assists and two goals for Tigres last season.

Visitors Will Have One Eye on the Chivas Fixture

The opening game of the season has come quite late for Tigres compared to other teams. The club will get just four days to prepare for the second game of the season against their Clausura 2023 final opponents Chivas Guadalajara.

Head coach Robert Siboldi will be wary of the schedule and will try his best to keep his key players fatigue-free and away from injuries during the match against Leon.