América Faces Tijuana in Crucial Liga MX Clash

MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Club América, the reigning tricampeón of Liga MX, will face Xolos de Tijuana on Thursday, January 16, 2025, in a highly anticipated match at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes. The game marks the second round of the Clausura 2025 tournament, with América seeking to extend its dominance while Tijuana aims to recover from a rocky start.

América, led by Brazilian coach André Jardine, enters the match with momentum after a narrow 1-0 victory over Querétaro in the opening round. Despite fielding a youthful squad due to the absence of key players preparing for a friendly in San Diego, the team has maintained an impressive nine-match unbeaten streak in the league. As hosts, América has won five of its last six home games, showcasing its strength on home turf.

On the other hand, Tijuana is reeling from a disappointing 4-2 loss to Toluca in its season opener. The defeat adds pressure to a team that finished seventh in the Apertura 2024 but was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Cruz Azul after a dramatic 3-3 aggregate tie. Tijuana’s defense, which conceded four goals in its last outing, will need significant improvement to challenge América’s potent attack.

“This is a crucial match for us,” said Tijuana coach Miguel Herrera. “We need to regroup and show our character against a strong opponent like América.”

Betting odds favor América, with a victory priced at 1.85 to 1 (-118), while Tijuana’s chances stand at 3.40 to 1 (+240). A draw is listed at 3.80 to 1 (+280). América’s young forward, who impressed in the Sub-23 team, is expected to lead the attack in the absence of star players Henry Martin and Rodrigo Aguirre.

Historically, América has dominated Tijuana at home, with only one loss in 14 encounters. The team has scored 33 goals while conceding just six in those matches. The most likely scorelines, according to betting platforms, include a 1-1 draw (+650) and a 2-1 victory for América (+750).

Fans can catch the action live on major sports networks, with kickoff scheduled for 9:00 PM local time. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams vie for early-season momentum in the Liga MX.