Hiram Moreno
After the end of the regular phase, we are now entering the Torneo Apertura 2022 Liga MX playoffs, and we already know the eight teams that will participate in this round of the Liga MX playoffs, after América, Santos Laguna, Monterrey and Pachuca were able to take the first four places that give direct access to the quarterfinals.
The games are scheduled to be played between October 8 and 9, and here at JefeBet we give you a brief analysis and a prediction for each of them based on the performance shown by the teams after their regular phase.
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Predictions, Odds and Betting Preview for Torneo Apertura 2022 Playoffs
Tigres (5) vs Necaxa (12)
Tigres finished the regular phase with some ups and downs, which cost them a place in the top four, but they reach this playoff as the best-ranked team and his allows them to face Necaxa, who did not confirm their participation in this stage until the last matchday.
Although Tigres closed the regular phase with three wins and three defeats in their last six league matches, Necaxa ended up qualifying for the playoffs thanks to the fact that their rivals missed their chances as the “Rayos” did not win in any of their last five matches.
It is worth mentioning that only one of Tigres’ last three defeats took place at home, and in fact they closed the regular phase as the team that allowed the second fewest goals in that condition.
In addition, Tigres has not lost in its last six matches at the Universitario Stadium against Necaxa, and has not allowed goals in its last two, so its defense could help it achieve a victory that will see it advance to the next round.
Prediction: Tigres wins 2-0
[Check out our full Tigres vs Necaxa preview here].
Cruz Azul (7) vs León (10)
The last match to be played on Saturday night will be Cruz Azul vs. León, which will be a clash between two teams with a very inconsistent performance throughout the championship.
Cruz Azul reached this stage because of the positive way in which it closed the regular phase, winning its last four games to reach the playoffs, and the “Cement Machine” will be hoping to keep up the momentum in this decisive stage of the tournament.
Leon didn’t finish the regular phase badly either, winning three of their last five league matches and scoring a total of five goals in the last two, and knowing that Cruz Azul was the second highest scoring team in the tournament, they will surely be looking to exploit this weakness.
However, Cruz Azul has also scored exactly two goals in their last seven games, suggesting that this could be a high-scoring affair.
Prediction: Over (Cruz Azul 2-León 2)
[Check out our full Cruz Azul vs León preview here].
Toluca (6) vs Juárez (11)
Toluca vs Juarez will be one of the matches to be played on Sunday, and Toluca will try to confirm the form in which they closed the regular season does not carry over to this decisive match.
Of the seven wins in the regular phase, six came in the first nine rounds, and the “Diablos Rojos” did not win again until the last round of the regular phase, when they defeated Querétaro, the worst team in the championship.
Juárez qualified for this stage with just 19 points, the lowest number among the participants in this group, and is also the team that scored the fewest goals during the regular phase among the 12 teams in this knockout stage.
This lack of effectiveness in front of goal could be what condemns Juarez in this liguilla. However, their defense was one of the best throughout the championship, and it is worth mentioning that It did not concede goals in its previous two visits to TolucaHowever, it is unlikely that this time they will be able to beat the local team as they did in those matches.
Prediction: Under (TOL 1 – JUA 0)
[Check out our full Toluca vs Juarez preview here].
Puebla (8) vs Guadalajara (9)
The match between Puebla and Guadalajara will close the playoffs, and considering each team’s position in the standings, it will be the most evenly matched of all.
Puebla won just four games in the regular phase, but was the team that achieved the most draws throughout the tournament with ten, which helped them to reach this stage of the championship. Although it is worth mentioning that none of them were in their last four encounters.
On the other hand, Guadalajara had an excellent half in the regular phase, but closed that period of the tournament with three consecutive defeats, although two were against great rivals such as América and Tigres, and they will be expecting to find a tough opponent in Puebla.
Considering the difficulty the “Franja” had gone through to win in this Apertura 2022, it would not be surprising to have another draw in this match. In addition, four of their last five meetings with Guadalajara at the Cuauhtémoc Stadium ended in a draw.
Prediction: Tie 1-1
[Check out our full Puebla vs Guadalajara preview here].
