América and Chivas to Play the National Classic
Although América is leading the Clausura-2018 tournament in Mexican football and Chivas de Guadalajara is dangerously close to the bottom of the standings, both teams are set to play the national classic on Saturday (10:00 p.m. LIVE ONLINE on Chivas TV and TDN Televisa Deportes Network) for the tenth round without stopping to contemplate the statistics.
The 'Águilas' of América present themselves with an optimal performance reflected in 17 points that place them in the lead and with a remarkable balance between offense and defense, with 15 goals in favor and only six against. They are also the only undefeated team in the championship.
Chivas venció al América 1-0 en el último Clásico Nacional
On the other hand, the 'Chivas' of Guadalajara are in the seventeenth position of the standings with seven points, only three more than the last-place Atlas.
"Statistics don't impress me, no matter if América is in first place and we're not in the best moment. In a classic, no one is a favorite," said Alan Pulido, forward for 'Rebaño'.
- Herrera against Almeyda -
At the Nest of the 'Águilas' of América, although the numbers are on their side, they don't rely on them either. According to their coach Miguel Herrera, América is driven by the ambition to win and convince.
"We don't care about the numbers, the statistics, or the position in the table. We want to win, keep earning points, and make the fans very happy," commented the América coach.
Facing Guadalajara has been good for Herrera, as he has won four out of five matches against them, with just one defeat.
On the opposite bench, Argentine Matías Almeyda will seek a victory that gives him a respite and allows him to break the streak of six matches without winning in this tournament.
'Pelado' Almeyda doesn't have a good record in his league matches against América: in seven occasions, he has three victories, two draws, and four defeats.
Chivas vs América Data
However, he hasn't forgotten that his first classic, in the Apertura-2015, he won 2-1 even though América arrived in a better moment than Guadalajara, who was also at the bottom of the table.
'Chivas' and 'Águilas' will face this match after fulfilling the obligation to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Concacaf League in the midweek.
Guadalajara thrashed Cibao from the Dominican Republic 5-0 with a team made up of several young players, advancing to the quarterfinals with an aggregate score of 7-0.
América, with several of its starters, drew 1-1 against Saprissa from Costa Rica, achieving an overall victory of 6-2.