Tigres Favored to Win 2019 Liga MX Apertura
- Tigres UANL have opened with the shortest odds to win the the Liga MX Apertura
- UANL seek their sixth Mexican title since 2011
- Clausura triumphed against Leon in May
Mexico’s Tigres UANL have been called the nation’s team of the decade after winning five league titles since 2011 and are expected to enjoy even more success in the forthcoming Apertura championship.
The Monterrey-based team won the 2019 Clausura section of the two-handed Liga MX competition in May.
2019 Liga MX Apertura Odds
| Team | 2019 Liga MX Apertura Odds at BookMaker |
|---|---|
| Tigres | +375 |
| Leon | +500 |
| Monterrey | +525 |
| Club America | +525 |
| Cruz Azul | +625 |
| Santos Laguna | +1050 |
| Pachucha | +1500 |
| Toluca | +1700 |
| Pumas UNAM | +2550 |
| Tijuana | +2550 |
*Odds taken at 06/20/19
Now they are rated as +375 favorites to win the next Apertura section which starts in July.
Four Previous Victories
The team were Apertura champions in 2011, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
They added their first Clausura trophy when they defeated Leon in the two-legged final four weeks ago – winning the first leg at home 1-0 and then claiming a goalless draw in the return match.
They had finished second to the more impressive Leon in the 17-game regular season before the eight team Liguilla playoffs.
The 2019 Apertura will start with 14 modified rules, announced Monday during the Annual Meeting of Mexican Soccer, Arturo Brizio Carter, President of the Referees Committee… #LigaMX pic.twitter.com/ZtsZkRyyew
— arturodetexas (@arturodetexas) June 10, 2019
They also reached the final of the CONCACAF Champions League last season. But they lost the two-legged final against their great home city rivals Monterrey – losing 1-0 at home and then drawing 1-1 away.
Clausura runners-up Leon are second favorites for the Apertura title at +500. They look like the more interesting bet.
The odds then rate Monterrey and Club America as third co-favorites for the prize at +525.
Striker Gignac Hit the Target
French international forward Andre-Pierre Gignac will again lead from the front for Tigres after becoming the club’s joint all-time leading scorer last month. His winner in the 1-0 playoff final defeat of Leon was his 104th strike for the club and equaled the record held by Tomas Boy.
He had earlier missed six weeks of the season but was back in action in time for the critical stages of the season.
Coach Tuca Ferretti has what is widely regarded as the most experienced squad in Mexico’s top flight competition.
He will hope again to have a big influence in the Apertura, in which the regular qualifying rounds commence on July 20th.
Liga MX transfer news: The latest rumors and chisme in Mexican soccer https://t.co/eA6shjXhPm #FOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/voERepNxWO
— Footy News Media ⚽️ (@FootyNewsMedia) June 18, 2019
Coach Tuca Ferretti has what is widely regarded as the most experienced squad in Mexico’s top flight competition. They are a powerfully disciplined and well-organized side and conceded only 16 goals in the 17 fixtures required to reach the playoffs last season. They were the second top scores in the regular season with 33 goals.
No Frills Style of Soccer
However, their methodical possession-based style is often criticized as lacking in excitement. Despite the lack of frills, the club is also regarded as being well-structured and calm in a soccer nation which is often volatile.
Ferretti has been in charge for nine years which is a huge contrast to the frantic nature of much of the rest of the Liga MX – a competition in which no fewer than 10 of the 18 clubs changed coach in the last regular season.
Current second favorites Leon were regarded as the more attractive side in the 2019 Clausura.
They set a record of winning 12 consecutive matches in the regular season while scoring 41 goals and amassing 41 points – four more than second-placed Tigres.
Their star striker, Jose Juan Macias, was absent from the Clausura final after being called up to play for Mexico at the Under 20 World.
Plans to Strengthen Attack
Leon hope to make his status on loan from Guadalajara permanent as they seek to fulfill their potential in the forthcoming Apertura, although he is attracting attention in Europe. They also hope to sign on loan the young Chivas striker, Jose de Jesus Godinez.
Third favorites Monterrey were eliminated in the Closura playoff semifinal by Tigres UANL last season.
Joint third favorites Club America were knocked out at the same stage by Leon.
Pick: Leon (+500)
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
