“Atlas vs Santos Laguna: Battle for First 2024 Liga MX Win”

As the 2024 Liga MX Apertura season unfolds, fans are eagerly anticipating the showdown between Atlas and Santos Laguna at Jalisco Stadium on Tuesday. Both teams are in search of their first victory of the season, adding an extra layer of excitement to this early-season clash.

In their most recent outings, Atlas and Santos Laguna both secured 1-1 draws. Atlas, hailing from Guadalajara, let a half-time lead slip against Tigres, while Santos Laguna, known as Verdiblancos, managed to salvage a point against Pumas. With both teams hungry for a win, this match promises to be a thrilling encounter.

Current Form and Standings

Atlas Seeking Redemption

Atlas currently sits in the bottom half of the Liga MX table with just two points after two matchdays. Despite remaining unbeaten so far, Benat San Jose’s squad has struggled to convert their early leads into victories. This issue dates back to the previous Clausura campaign, where they also failed to secure wins after scoring first.

• Home Record: Atlas has only won one of their last eight home matches in Liga MX, a 2-1 comeback victory against San Luis in April.
• Recent Performances: They have, however, managed to avoid defeat in four of their last five domestic matches.

The team will be looking to improve their home form and secure a much-needed win against Santos Laguna.

Santos Laguna’s Resilience

Santos Laguna, on the other hand, had a disappointing end to their Clausura campaign, losing their final three matches by a combined margin of 7-0. However, they have shown resilience in the Apertura season, conceding only two goals in two matches.

• Opening Goals: Ignacio Ambriz’s team scored first over the weekend for the first time this season but failed to secure a win, extending their winless streak in such scenarios to three matches.
• Historical Context: Santos Laguna has not won a domestic contest since March, when they defeated Cruz Azul 3-0, and their last away victory was a 1-0 win against Queretaro in the same month.

Despite these challenges, Laguna has managed to earn points in three of their last four meetings with Atlas, although they haven’t won an away match against them since 2019.

Key Players and Team News

Atlas’ Lineup and Injuries

Atlas will be missing key players due to injuries. Brian Lozano is recovering from knee surgery, and Mauro Manotas is sidelined with an ACL injury. On a positive note, Raymundo Fulgencio, on loan from Tigres, scored his first goal of the season on matchday two.

• Possible Starting Lineup:
• Hernandez
• Lozano, Nervo, Mora, Reyes
• Bass, Rocha
• Murillo, Marquez, Fulgencio
• E. Aguirre

Santos Laguna’s Lineup and Injuries

Santos Laguna will be without Anderson Santamaria, who received two yellow cards in their weekend fixture. Additionally, Pedro Aquino, Ronaldo Prieto, and Hugo Rodriguez are all out with knee injuries. Santiago Munoz scored a 33rd-minute penalty on matchday two, making him the only player to have scored for the team this season.

• Possible Starting Lineup:
• Acevedo
• Govea, Nunez, Lorona, Echeverria
• Lopez, Mariscal
• Medina, Carrillo, Macias
• Munoz

Tactical Analysis

Atlas’ Approach

Atlas is expected to adopt an aggressive strategy, aiming to capitalize on their home advantage. The team’s focus will be on maintaining possession and creating scoring opportunities through their midfield maestros.

• Strengths:
• Strong midfield presence
• Ability to control the tempo of the game
• Weaknesses:
• Inconsistency in defending leads
• Vulnerability in set-piece situations

Santos Laguna’s Strategy

Santos Laguna is likely to focus on a balanced approach, combining solid defense with quick counter-attacks. The team will aim to frustrate Atlas by maintaining a compact defensive structure and exploiting any defensive lapses.

• Strengths:
• Resilient defense
• Effective counter-attacks
• Weaknesses:
• Struggles in converting opening goals into victories
• Dependence on key players for scoring

Head-to-Head Statistics

• Recent Meetings: Atlas remains unbeaten in their last three Liga MX encounters against Santos Laguna.
• Home Advantage: Atlas has not lost any of their last four home games against Santos Laguna.
• Away Struggles: Santos Laguna has not won at Jalisco Stadium since 2019.

FAQs

What time is the Atlas vs. Santos Laguna match?
The match will take place on Tuesday evening, though the exact kick-off time should be checked on the official Liga MX website.

How can I watch the Atlas vs. Santos Laguna match?
The match will be broadcast live on various sports channels and streaming platforms. Check your local listings for more details.

Who are the key players to watch in this match?
For Atlas, keep an eye on Raymundo Fulgencio and E. Aguirre. For Santos Laguna, Santiago Munoz is a crucial player.

What are the recent form stats for both teams?
Atlas has drawn both of their matches so far, while Santos Laguna also has two draws to their name.

Who is the referee for the Atlas vs. Santos Laguna match?
The referee for the match will be announced closer to the game date. Check Liga MX’s official announcements for updates.

Conclusion

As Atlas and Santos Laguna prepare to face off at Jalisco Stadium, both teams are eager to secure their first win of the 2024 Liga MX Apertura season. With a mix of experienced players and emerging talents, this match promises to be a captivating encounter. Whether it’s Atlas looking to capitalize on their home advantage or Santos Laguna seeking to break their away win drought, football fans can expect an exciting and competitive game. Let the battle for three points begin!

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