Six places separate Mazatlan and Monterrey in an embryonic Liga MX table heading into gameweek three's encounter at the Estadio de Mazatlan on Saturday morning.
Both sides are unbeaten this season, although the home side are still seeking their first victory of the campaign after two draws.
Match preview
© Reuters
Mazatlan ended last season in wretched form, so this start represents some improvement, albeit nothing especially significant.
The Gunners lost seven of their final eight league games to close out the Clausura season, which saw them end 14th in the regular season, but they have begun this term brighter.
Ismael Rescalvo's troops have played out ties against last term's Apertura champions Pachuca and Pumas, indicating a better start.
This is all new to Rescalvo, who took charge of the club in May and is looking to be third-time lucky when Mazatlan plays host to one of the league's best sides.
Success could see the Gunners move into the coveted top six places, even if the competition is in its infancy.
As for Monterrey, gameweek three is an opportunity to secure back-to-back victories after the 1-0 triumph over Atlas a few days back.
Rayados began their season with a 1-1 draw with Atletico de San Luis at the start of the month but returned to winning ways last time out.
That triumph took them to fifth place after two games, and they could consolidate with another victory over the winless club.
History is on the side of the Nuevo Leon outfit, with a 14-game unbeaten run against Mazatlan making the visiting side favourites for gameweek three's meeting.
The freshly-appointed Fernando Ortiz seeks to make that 15 without losing when his side aims to avoid defeat and hopefully pick up maximum points.
- D
- D
- D
- W
Team News
Jair Diaz is suspended for Mazatlan after picking up a second yellow card against UNAM, forcing Rescalvo into a change at left-back.
Hugo Gonzalez has made 10 saves in total after two games, and the goalkeeper's expertise could be required to secure the optimal outcome for the hosts.
Wide attacker Arturo Gonzalez is not expected to participate for Monterrey due to a knee injury that has kept him out of action at the start of the season.
Esteban Andrada has been in fine form at the start of this season — preventing a game-winning Angel Zaldivar penalty in gameweek one and making a couple of saves to preserve the points against Atlas last time out — making the goalkeeper one of the away side's key players.
Mazatlan possible starting lineup:
Gonzalez; Colula, Almada, Vidrio, Venegas; Intriago, Flores; Medina, Meraz, Bello; Amarilla
Monterrey possible starting lineup:
Andrada; Aguirre, Medina, Moreno, Vegas; Cortizo, Gonzalez, Ortiz, Meza; Funes Mori, Berterame
We say: Mazatlan 0-1 Monterrey
Monterrey are expected to extend their undefeated streak against Mazatlan, with the heavyweights likely to show their superiority in Sinaloa with a marginal victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
