Tigres begin the defence of their Liga MX title at home to Puebla on Sunday at Estadio Universitario.
Los Tigres defeated Guadalajara in the final of 2022-23 Clausura to lift their eighth Liga MX title, while the visitors lost in the playoffs in the most recent meeting between the two sides.
Match preview
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Following a chaotic season with three different managers since February, Tigres turned things around by lifting the 2022-23 Clausura title.
After a scoreless draw in the first leg at Estadio Universitario, Tigres were already 2-0 down by the 20th minute at Estadio Akron. However, goals from Andre-Pierre Gignac and Sebastian Cordova forced the game into extra time, where Guido Pizarro's strike was enough to hand Los Tigres their fifth title since 2015.
Tigres followed up their title win with more silverware with a 2-1 victory over Pachuca in the Campeon de Campeones final on June 25.
Goals from Fernando Gorriaran and Nicolas Ibanez were enough for Robert Siboldi's side to prevail as winners, despite Israel Luna's late consolation, and set up a meeting with Los Angeles FC on September 27 for the Campeones Cup.
One aspect of last year's campaign that Siboldi will want to improve upon this season, is the CONCACAF Champions League, where Tigres lost in the semi-final stage to Club Leon.
Meanwhile, Puebla will be seeking revenge this weekend against Tigres after the hosts defeated Los Camoteros in the reclassification stage of 2022-23 Clausura.
Sebastian Cordova's 56th-minute strike was the difference between the sides on the day, and since that defeat Puebla have only played once, which was a 1-1 draw against Toluca in a club friendly.
Puebla have lost at the reclassification stages of Torneo Clausura for the past two seasons running, and Eduardo Arce will be eager to see his sides' results improve this season.
The club finished in eighth place with 22 points in the 2022-23 Apertura before sliding down to 11th position in the 2022-23 Clausura standings, picking up 20 points in 17 matches, going on to eventually lose in the playoff stages.
Team News
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Robert Siboldi may opt to stick with a winning formula heading into the opening fixture of the season after their Campeon de Campeones triumph at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Andre-Pierre Gignac led the line last Sunday and is expected to once more this weekend, after the French striker scored 22 goals in 46 appearances across all competitions for the Mexican outfit last season.
Nahuel Guzman is expected to start between the sticks for Los Tigres, while Juan Vigon and Rafael Carioca will provide the energy in the engine room.
As for the visitors, Federico Mancuello made the most outfield appearances last season along with Diego de Buen and Martin Barragan, and all three players are expected to play key roles in the Puebla squad in the upcoming campaign.
Jesus Rodriguez looks set to start in goal for Los Camoteros, while Pablo Gonzalez will attempt to protect a defence made up of De Buen, George Corral and Lucas Maia.
Tigres possible starting lineup:
Guzman; Garza, Lichnovsky, Caetano, Angulo; Carioca, Vigon; Acquino, Lopez, Quinones; Gignac
Puebla possible starting lineup:
Rodriguez; Maia, De Buen, Corral; Robles, Gonzalez, Mancuello, Ferrareis; Waller, Martinez, Ramirez
We say: Tigres 2-0 Puebla
Starting the new season away at the defending champions is always a tough mountain to climb, which is why we think Tigres will win this game reasonably comfortably.
In addition, the hosts have won the last two meetings between the sides, so we think Los Tigres will make it three consecutive wins here.
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