TEAM NEWS
Necaxa’s Xavier Baez remains a doubt with an unspecified injury, but the club is appealing Edson Puch’s suspension after the Chile international was sent off for two bookable offences against Guadalajara on Saturday.
With no injuries in suspensions, Pachuca coach Diego Alonso has a full squad available once again.
Necaxa
Suspended: Edson Puch (pending appeal)
Doubtful: Xavier Baez (unspecified)
Injured/Unavailable: None
Pachuca
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/Unavailable: None
MATCH PREVIEW
Having only won promotion to Mexico’s top division in the summer, Necaxa have been hugely impressive this season. Alfonso Sosa’s side won six games, drew eight and lost just three times en route to a seventh place finish, with their talismanic Copa America winner Edson Puch proving arguably the best signing of the summer transfer window. Necaxa sealed their place in the playoffs with a 1-1 draw away to Guadalajara on Saturday and did well to hold on for a vital point after Puch’s 41st minute red card. Necaxa boast the league’s fourth best defensive record in Mexico and maintaining that solidity will now prove key to their chances of reaching the semi-finals.
Reigning Liga MX champions Pachuca secured a second-place finish after Saturday’s 3-3 draw at home to CF America, with their top scorer Franco Jara netting twice, including an 87th minute equaliser. Having scored 36 goals this season, Diego Alonso’s side boast by far the most potent attack in Mexico. Their home form is superb with no defeats this season, but they do sometimes struggle on the road where they have lost four times. Avoiding defeat in this first leg could prove crucial to their title defence as Pachuca strive to become the first side to win back-to-back titles since Club Leon in 2013-14.
Pachuca boast a stronger squad, but Necaxa are unbeaten at home this season and they have won their last three home games. Necaxa to hold out for a draw.
HEAD TO HEAD
Necaxa do not have a great record against Pachuca, having lost eight and won just four of their previous 19 encounters. Pachuca won 1-0 at home when they last met in August. Necaxa last won this fixture in 2006.
