The quarterfinals of the Liga MX Apertura 2024 are here and the best eight teams in Mexican football are fighting for the title.

It’s time for the Liga MX Apertura 2024 playoffs to begin properly. The quarterfinals are the start of the three-week home-and-away knockout round in which a new champion in Mexico’s top division will be crowned.

The field is ready and there is intrigue in every quarterfinal game. With plenty of storylines to watch ahead of the final stretch of the season, here’s how the quarterfinals could play out in the coming days.

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(1) Cruz Azul vs. (8) Tijuana (November 27-30)

Cruz Azul go into the playoffs as favorites to win the trophy after a record-breaking season. Few teams have been as dominant over the course of the season as Martín Anselmi’s team. With the best attack, the best defense, just one loss and a new points record in a 17-game season, La Máquina lived up to its nickname and played like a well-oiled machine.

Tijuana, on the other hand, is the clear outsider in the playoffs. Juan Carlos Osorio has done an impressive job since arriving in the summer, leading a team full of young players to the playoffs for the first time in over five years.

Cruz Azul defeated Tijuana 4-0 earlier in the season. The first leg in the border town could be more difficult than most expect, although La Máquina should finish Saturday’s clash at home without any major problems.

forecast

• First leg: Tijuana 1-2 Cruz Azul
• Second leg: Cruz Azul 3–1 Tijuana

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(2) Toluca vs. (7) Club América (November 27-30)

Don’t let the sowing fool you. If both teams are at their best – and that’s a big caveat – this is a closely contested affair.

Toluca had their best player of the season in the summer: Paulinho, who won the Golden Boot and scored 18 goals in 17 games. In Renato Paiva’s second season as manager, the team has improved and is a real contender for victory.

América are the reigning back-to-back champions and will not want to give up the throne. The team took a step back this season after a year of dominating the league. Injuries, mistakes and a crowded schedule hampered Las Águilas, but with most of the squad back to full fitness, this is a scary team in the playoffs if they can get their act together.

Toluca defeated América 4-0 in the final game of the regular season. By not having to go to the daunting Estadio Ázteca and being able to decide the tie at home, Toluca was in the best position to end America’s reign.

forecast

• First leg: América 2–2 Toluca
• Second leg: Toluca 3–2 América

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(3) Tigres vs. (6) Atlético San Luis (November 28th – December 1st)

Tigres continued its decades-long success story as one of the most consistent teams in Liga MX, reaching the quarterfinals for the 20th consecutive year. Despite barely stealing the spotlight throughout the season, Tigres is a smart choice to win the championship.

On the other hand, what Spanish coach Domènec Torrent was able to achieve with San Luis is remarkable. The team didn’t lose a single game at home and, despite its modest squad, remained without two defeats all season. Pep Guardiola’s former understudy appears ready to make the move to a bigger club in the near future.

Tigres has more than enough playoff experience to understand crucial context. This, coupled with the clear difference in quality between the two teams, gives Tigres the advantage to end San Luis’ run.

forecast

• First leg: San Luis – Tigres 1–1
• Second leg: Tigres 2–0 San Luis

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(4) Pumas vs. (5) Monterrey (November 28th – December 1st)

Pumas got better and better as the season went on, losing just once in their last ten games. Gustavo Lema has a modest squad without any big stars. However, what Pumas lacks in individual quality is covered up by his high work rate, intensity and strong defense. It is a team that wears down the opponent and makes mistakes.

Monterrey has one of the best squads not only in Mexico but on the entire continent. Still, this is a team constantly struggling to find even a semblance of stability. You never know which version of Monterrey will emerge on any given day. The pressure of just one stock in 14 years despite significant economic investment at an all-time high is evident.

It will be a clash of collective power with individual moments of magic. In the end, Monterrey’s stars might be a bit too much for the Pumas over 180 minutes.

forecast

• First leg: Monterrey 0–0 Pumas
• Second leg: Pumas – Monterrey 1–2

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Liga MX Apertura 2024 quarterfinal predictions.