The quarter-finals of the Liga MX Apertura 2024 are here, with the eight best teams in Mexican football battling it out for the title.

It’s time for the Liga MX Apertura 2024 play-offs to begin in earnest. The quarter-finals kick off the three-week home and away knockout rounds that will crown a new champion in Mexico’s top flight.

The playing field is set and there is intrigue in every quarter final. With plenty of storylines to keep an eye on ahead of the final stretch of the season, here’s how the quarter-finals could play out in the coming days.

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

Cruz Azul goes into the play-offs as favorites to lift the trophy after a record-breaking season. Few teams have been as dominant this season as Martín Anselmi’s side. The best attack, the best defense, just one defeat and a new points record in a 17-match campaign, La Máquina paid tribute to its nickname and played like a well-oiled machine.

Tijuana, on the other hand, is the clear underdog in the playoffs. Juan Carlos Osorio has done an impressive job since arriving in the summer, taking a squad full of young players to the play-offs for the first time in more than five years.

Cruz Azul dismantled Tijuana 4-0 earlier this season. The first leg in the border city could be tougher than most expect, although La Máquina should complete the tie at home on Saturday without much problem.

Prediction

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

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

Don’t be fooled by the sowing. When both teams are at their best – and this is a big red flag – this is a closely contested affair.

Toluca have their best player of the season in the summer by signing Paulinho, who won the golden boot and scored 18 goals in 17 games. In Renato Paiva’s second season as manager, the team improved and is a real contender to win it all.

America is the reigning, consecutive champions and will not want to give up the throne. The team took a step back this season after dominating the competition for a year. Injuries, mistakes and a packed calendar have hampered Las Águilas, but with most of the squad back to full fitness, this is a scary team in the play-offs if it can pull it off.

Toluca defeated América 4-0 in the last game of the regular season. Not having to go to the daunting Estadio Ázteca and being able to seal the tie at home, Toluca was in a prime position to end America’s reign.

Prediction

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

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

Tigres continued their decade-long run as one of the most consistent teams in Liga MX, reaching the quarter-finals for the 20th consecutive season. Without stealing much of the spotlight during the campaign, Tigres is a sneaky choice to become champions.

On the other hand, it is remarkable what Spanish manager Domènec Torrent has been able to do with San Luis. The team did not lose a single match on its own field and, despite the modest selection, did not experience consecutive defeats all season. Pep Guardiola’s former substitute appears ready to make the jump to a bigger club in the near future.

Tigres has more than enough playoff experience to understand the do-or-die relationships. That, added to the clear mismatch in quality between the two sides, gives Tigres the edge to end San Luis’ run.

Prediction

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

(4) Cougars vs. (5) Monterrey (November 28 – December 1)

Pumas improved as the season progressed, losing only once in their last ten matches. Gustavo Lema has a modest team to work with, without big stars. However, what Pumas lacks in individual quality is covered by his high work rate, intensity and powerful defence. It is a team that attacks the opponent and makes mistakes.

Monterrey has one of the best teams, not only in Mexico, but on the entire continent. Yet this is a team that continually struggles to find any semblance of stability. You never know which version of Monterrey will appear on any given day. The pressure of only one title in fourteen years, despite significant economic investment at a record high, is clear.

It will be a clash of collective power against individual moments of magic. Ultimately, Monterrey’s stars may be just a bit too much for Pumas to handle for 180 minutes.

Prediction

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

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Liga MX Apertura 2024 Quarterfinals Predictions.