FC Juarez vs. Club America Odds, Prediction, Picks

WSN

23 January 2024

FC Juarez vs. Club America Odds, Prediction, Picks

FC Juarez vs. Club America Predictions

A goalless draw against Cruz Azul in the last game may have ended FC Juarez’s five-game losing streak, but it has obviously not been as effective as a win for the club. Before that, Juarez lost their season-opener against Pumas, meaning that the club has now registered just one win in their last 12 Liga MX games.

Club America have carried their winning momentum of last season into this season as they registered a 2-0 win against Tijuana in their season-opener before beating Queretaro with the same margin this past weekend. Like many other teams, the 14-time Liga MX champions have to play two games in quick succession, and both are on the road.

Despite that, Club America are favorites to win both those games as they are against weaker teams like Juarez and Necaxa. The Aguilas have the edge and the momentum, while Juarez’s struggles are still ongoing. Even if the hosts find a fix to their problems, it will be an improbable task for them to defeat a team like Club America.

This will only be the tenth meeting between these two clubs in Liga MX. The bad news for Juarez is that they have won just once against Club America, drawing three and losing the other five. However, that solitary victory came the last time these two teams met.

In the Apertura 2023 season, when Club America hosted Juarez, Leonardo Suarez put the hosts’ noses in front after just 15 minutes. Aitor Garcia restored parity in the 86th minute before Angel Zapata scored the winner in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time.

Juarez last played hosts to Club America in the Clausura 2023 season. Richard Sanchez scored the only goal of that game in the 35th minute, giving the visitors all three points. Juarez have never registered a home win over Club America in Liga MX.

FC Juarez Need to Stop Firing Blanks

The total recovery of Juarez will be a step-by-step process. In order to get the desired results, the club has to be more lethal in the final third. Diego Mejia’s men have not only extended their winless streak after the first two games, but they are also yet to score a goal this season.

In the last match against Cruz Azul, Juarez were lucky to get a point because Sebastian Roca saved Angel Sepulveda’s 88th-minute penalty. If that had gone in, Juarez would have fallen to another defeat and would have been near the bottom of the table.

The club signed Angel Zaldivar from Chivas Guadalajara this season, but he has yet to start a game for them. He made a 90th-minute substitute appearance in the last match and was on the pitch for only a minute.

New Signing Almost Turned From Hero to Villain

Waves of disbelief floated through the Mexican transfer market when Arturo Ortiz decided to leave Pumas UNAM and join Juarez. He made an excellent debut against his former club but could not keep his new club away from defeat.

The 31-year-old defender was splendid against Cruz Azul as well but gave away a last-ditch lifeline to the opponents by conceding a penalty. Fortunately for him, his keeper kept the clean sheet. In the next game, Ortiz will be looking to rectify his mistakes.

Too Much Pressure on Old Striker

Last season, Aviles Hurtado was Juarez’s top scorer with six goals and three assists in 15 appearances. The Colombian has played well for his club since joining them in June 2023.

However, all the attacking onus has been dumped on Hurtado. The 36-year-old has played well in the opening two games but has failed to find the back of the net. Mejia needs to find a tactic that provides Hurtado with proper support against Club America.

Only Complacency Can Stop Club America

Head coach Andre Jardine will be extremely pleased with the way his team has started the new season. There are no injury concerns for Club America, and they have not lost any of their winning momentum so far.

The squad has been consistent, and players are doing what they are being paid to do. At this point, only over-confidence and a complacent approach against a weaker side can disrupt the 14-time champions’ rampaging run.

Since there are two games in quick succession, Jardine will have to rotate his squad and bench a few key players to ensure the fitness of his team.

The Prolific Winning Streak on the Road

Club America’s last away game loss came in Liga MX came against Toluca in October 2022. Since then, the 14-time champions have played 21 away games in the league and have not lost a single one of them.

They have won 14 matches and drawn seven. The possibility of this rampant run ending against Juarez is extremely low.

Club America Will Aim to Score Early Goals

Despite getting comfortable wins in the first two matches of the new season, Jardine will be bothered by the fact that his side was unable to score in the first half.

In both games, Club America scored after the hour mark. This is something that could hurt the club in the future against stronger sides, so the coach will encourage his side to break the deadlock before the break.