Club Leon Seeks First Liga MX Victory Since April Against Puebla
As Club Leon gears up for matchday three of the Apertura campaign, they travel to Estadio Cuauhtémoc to face Puebla. The team is eager to secure their first victory in Liga MX since April. Over the weekend, Puebla suffered a 4-1 defeat against Necaxa, while Leon managed only a 0-0 draw with Pachuca. Both teams are looking to improve their standings in the league.
Puebla’s Struggles in the Apertura
A Tough Loss to Necaxa
From the very beginning of their match against Necaxa, Jose Manuel de la Torre’s men found themselves on the back foot. Within the first 15 minutes, they were already down by two goals, ultimately suffering their first defeat of the Apertura season. This marked the first time since matchday 15 of the previous Clausura season that Puebla conceded the opening goal. Historically, La Franja has struggled to earn any points when conceding first, both in the previous Apertura and Clausura campaigns.
Historical Context and Recent Performance
Saturday’s result was Puebla’s worst defeat since a 4-0 loss to Atletico San Luis on matchday 10 of the previous Clausura campaign. It was also the first time they allowed four goals in a Liga MX match since that encounter. Their only victory in the last Clausura season came at home against Mazatlan with a 3-2 scoreline. A win on Tuesday would allow them to match their longest winning streak at Estadio Cuauhtémoc from the previous Apertura season, which stands at two consecutive wins.
Home Advantage Against Club Leon
Puebla has shown resilience on home turf, remaining undefeated in their last three home matches against Club Leon across all competitions. They won this exact fixture last year with a thrilling 5-4 victory, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure at home.
Club Leon’s Slow Start to the Season
Inconsistent Performance
Leon has had a rocky start to the Liga MX season, earning just one point after two matchdays. This is only slightly better than their performance in the opening two matches of the 2024 Clausura, where they had no points. Jorge Bava’s team has struggled offensively, scoring one goal or fewer in three consecutive Liga MX matches. The last time they went winless in their opening three Apertura matches was in 2018.
Defensive Woes
Since the previous Clausura season, Leon has failed to secure a win in three consecutive away matches, with two of those defeats coming against Pumas. Despite their strong defensive structure last season, they have already conceded four goals in the first two matchdays of the Apertura, tying them for the second-most goals conceded in the league.
Head-to-Head with Puebla
Leon has managed to earn points in three of their last four meetings with Puebla. However, they have not beaten Puebla away from home since the 2021 Apertura, where they secured a 1-0 victory. This historical context adds another layer of complexity to their upcoming match.
Team Lineups and Key Players
Puebla’s Squad
Puebla fielded the same starting eleven for the first two matchdays, with Cristian Mares and Rafael Duran being the only substitutes to come off the bench. Duran scored their lone goal in the defeat to Necaxa, and along with Canadian Lucas Cavallini, is one of the few players to find the back of the net for Puebla in this Apertura campaign.
Possible Starting Lineup:
– Rodriguez
– Ferrerais
– Gularte
– Orona
– Angulo
– De Buen
– Velasco
– Gonzalez
– Waller
– Duran
– Cavallini
Club Leon’s Squad
Leon faced Pachuca without Andres Guardado, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Additionally, Victor Barajas will be suspended for this match following his straight red card against Pachuca. Alfonso Blanco earned his first clean sheet of this phase of the competition by stopping all three of Pachuca’s attempts over the weekend.
Possible Starting Lineup:
– Blanco
– Barreiro
– Frias
– Bellon
– Reyes
– Ambriz
– Medina
– Guerra
– Alvarado
– Cabral
– Ayon
Match Expectations and Predictions
Leon has traditionally been slow to start their domestic campaigns, and this has been evident in their performance so far. Given both teams’ defensive vulnerabilities, a stalemate seems likely. Both sides may approach the game cautiously, aiming to avoid further defensive lapses.
FAQs
What has been Puebla’s performance in recent home games against Club Leon?
Puebla is undefeated in their last three home matches against Club Leon, including a 5-4 victory in their last encounter.
How has Club Leon performed in their opening matches this season?
Leon has earned just one point from their first two matchdays, struggling offensively with one goal or fewer in three consecutive Liga MX matches.
Who are the key players to watch in this match?
For Puebla, look out for Rafael Duran and Lucas Cavallini, who have both scored in the Apertura campaign. For Leon, Alfonso Blanco’s performance in goal will be crucial, especially given their defensive struggles.
Conclusion
Both Puebla and Club Leon are in desperate need of a victory to turn their seasons around. While Puebla hopes to leverage their home advantage and positive historical performance against Leon, the visitors aim to break their winless streak and improve their defensive record. The match promises to be a cautious affair, with both teams likely focusing on minimizing defensive errors.
