Tuzos reclaim top spot in Liga MX Power Rankings

Finally, all 18 Liga MX teams have played the same number of games, just in time for a hectic stretch run in which 14 teams are vying for the 10 remaining playoff spots. The final two make-up games were played in the past eight days and everybody has 13 games under their belts.

Pachuca and the Tigres have already clinched berths in the Liga MX postseason and seem poised to secure two of the four first-round byes. Matchday 16 – Pachuca hosts Monterrey and the Tigres host América – features two of the key battles remaining for the leaders.

As such, we can expect a battle royale for the other two Top 4 spots that appear up for grabs. Saturday’s Puebla at León contest is the first head-to-head clash among the five teams best positioned to claim the weekend passes alongside Pachuca and the Tigres.

The Matchday 13 results jumbled the Playing for 90 Liga MX Power Rankings considerably though there weren’t very many big movers – Monterrey climbing 3 spots; Cruz Azul and the Chivas tumbling 3 spots being the exception. Two clubs stayed put – Atlas as No. 5 and Querétaro at No. 16 – otherwise, it was just a bit of tinkering.

Power Rankings after Matchday 13

Let’s get right to it. As always, the figure in parentheses after each club’s name indicates the movement for that team as compared to the previous Liga MX Power Rankings.

1. Pachuca (+1)

The Tuzos defeated the Tigres in a make-up game to reclaim first place here as well as in the Liga MX standings but then flailed about against Tijuana on Monday. The scoreless draw against the Xolos was the first game this season in which Pachuca failed to score. Scoring should not be a problem this weekend when the Tuzos visit last place FC Juárez.

2. Tigres (–1)

The loss at Pachuca ended the Tigres’ nine-game unbeaten streak and then Miguel Herrera’s team struggled to put away lowly Querétaro this past weekend, probably not a surprise after the intensity of showdown against the Tuzos just three days earlier.

3. Puebla (+2)

The Camoteros are winless in their past four (0-2-2) but after the hot start they enjoyed they remain in the top three here and in the Liga MX table.