Common sense suggests that last year's top-placed team in the general table Cruz Azul, champions Monterrey and beaten finalists Santos are the teams to beat. Following behind them is a pack made up of the much-improved Tigres, America, Toluca, Pachuca, Pumas, San Luis, Jaguares and Chivas. The rest of the teams (Atlas, Atlante, Morelia, Puebla, Tecos, Necaxa, Queretaro) could spring a surprise and are unpredictable due to many having bought big in the off-season.
Here's a brief run down of teams' chances this Clausura 2011 with the benefit of two games being played:
Group 1
MONTERREYCurrent Mexican champions have had a poor start after coming back late from the preseason. Nevertheless they've won two of the last three championships. On paper the most complete team in the league, the only doubt being whether they run out of gas as happened the season after being crowned champions in late 2009.
Player to watch: Humberto Suazo: Chilean, striker, knack of being in the right place at the right time. Perhaps the best player in the Mexican league. The only surprise with Suazo is that he hasn't made it in Europe. Monterrey won't mind that though.Stadium: Tecnologico (34,000)
Nickname: Rayados
Webpage: www.rayados.com
Titles: 4 (and counting)
NECAXAWith a huge amount of arrivals (9) and departures (9), the team from Aguascalientes are a bit of an unknown quantity. A poor start (0 points from 2 games) has left Necaxa with an uphill battle to avoid relegation. Necaxa fans who won't be happy to see that Daniel Brailovsky remains the manager. Last season they wanted him out after his teams won only 10 out of a possible 33 points. Team needs to knit together quickly or else an extremely nervous tournament awaits.
Player to watch: 37-year-old Oscar "Conejo" Perez, goalkeeper, will have to be at his very best if Necaxa want to stay in the Primera Division. Last season he was crucial.
Stadium: Victoria (25,000)
Nickname: Rayos
Webpage: www.necaxafutbol.com
Titles: 3
SANTOSAfter losing two consecutive finals Santos are looking for that next step and to finally lift the trophy. Fast, strong and with an attacking mentality Santos have brought in no new players. Expect them to be right up there.
Player to watch: 24-year-old Ecuadorian Christian Benitez, striker, has taken all the plaudits for his performances for Santos. Strong and direct Benitez is another candidate for the league's best player. Another try in Europe surely beckons.Stadium: Corona (30,000)
Nickname: Guerreros
Webpage: www.clubsantoslaguna.com.mx
Titles: 3
TIGRES (UANL)The team making the biggest signings in the off-season. Hector Mancilla, Danilo Veron combined with Lucas Lobos and Damian Alvarez looks like an intriguing prospect. Almost 29 years since Tigres last won the title, a strong run into the playoffs is demanded by fans who are sick of watching city neighbour's Monterrey lifting silverware. Four points from their first two games.
Player to watch: 30-year-old Chilean striker Hector Mancilla will be expected to be the goalpoacher Tigres were lacking. Already proven in the Mexican league, Mancilla is charged with firing Tigres into the playoffs.
Stadium: Universitario (43,000)
Nickname: Tigres
Webpage: www.tigres.com.mx
Titles: 2
CD Guadalajara (Chivas)Despite a poor Apertura 2010, Chivas have not brought any new players. Young players are improving at differing rates but the huge problem remains in attack where, following the departures of Omar Bravo and Javier Hernandez, the team looks lightweight. Very solid in goalkeeping and defensive departments.
Player to watch: 21-year-old forward Marco Fabian has, along with Alfonso "Bofo" Bautista, Omar Arellano and Michel Vazquez, a huge responsibility to get goals this tournament. Has improved steadily since breaking into the first team.
Stadium: Omnilife (45,000)
Nickname: Chivas, Rebaño, Chivas Rayadas
Webpage: www.chivasdecorazon.com.mx
Titles: 11 (leader)
UAGNew boss Jose Luis Sanchez, aka el "Chelis," couldn't bring the reinforcements he wanted but last weekend's 3-2 victory against Monterrey shows they might not need them. Tecos coaches often have problems motivating the players, especially as turnout is usually very low at the 3 de Marzo, but Chelis might just change that. Tecos have one eye on relegation. Over the last three tournaments, Tecos have had the worst defence.
Player to watch: Mauricio Cejas (25, Argentina) is charged with pulling the strings and played every game last season.Stadium: 3 de Marzo (25,000 - crammed in)
Nicknames: Estudiantes, Tecos
Webpage: www.tecos.com.mx
Titles: 1
GROUP 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMERICAWith over five years without winning a title, America fans know they only need one more to equal Chivas' eleven. America remain largely the same this time around with only two new recruits. Much more is expected of Matias Vuoso and Vicente Sanchez. One potential problem is the Copa Libertadores which usually means lots of travelling to South America. America are hoping to become the first team to win the competition. Coach Manuel Lapuente has been criticised by fans for his defensive approach and the huge Estadio Azteca was never rarely full last season. They have reached the last three playoffs and should again be in the hunt.
Player to watch: Matias Vuoso, 29-year old striker, scored ten goals in the Apertura 2010 but that didn't stop America fans booing him. Sometimes you get the impression that Vuoso is simply trying too hard at America. He remains key to America's chance in both competitions.Stadium: Azteca (105,000)
Nickname: Aguilas
Website: www.clubamerica.com.mx
Titles: 10
ATLANTEWith Miguel Herrera back at the helm and ten new recruits in, Atlante are hoping to get enough points to avoid relegation. Still gelling together, they are somewhat of an unknown entity although Herrera is known as an attacking manager. Other teams will miss visits to Cancun if they do go down but that looks unlikely, especially after their 3-0 victory over Cruz Azul on Gameweek 2.
Player to watch: 23-year-old midfielder Christian Bermudez has been a regular for a few years at Atlante and now is the focal point of the team. After a tournament hampered by niggling injuries "Hobbit" (he's 1.63 metres tall) will be hoping to stake his claim for a place in the Mexico squad.Stadium: Andres Quintana Roo (20,000)
Nickname: Los Potros
Webpage: www.atlantefc.com.mx
Titles: 3
SAN LUISThe worst team in the Bicentenario 2010 tournament, San Luis followed by making the playoffs. Such deviance isn't that uncommon in Mexican football but the way the San Luis directors stuck with young coach Ignacio Ambriz and trusted him last summer in the transfer market is rare. Ambriz continues and San Luis hope to again make the playoffs although he will have a hard job balancing that task with a run in the Copa Libertadores.
Player to watch: 23-year-old Ecuadorian striker Michael Arroyo plays on the left of a three man attack and was San Luis' player of the tournament last time out.Stadium: Alfonso Lastras (30,000)
Nickname: Gladiadores
Webpage: www.sanluisfutbol.com.mx
Titles: 0
TOLUCAWithout coach Jose Manuel de la Torre and goalscorer Hector Mancilla, Toluca are less optimistic about the Clausura 2011. Colombian Jaime Ayovi has been brought in to get the goals but is unproven in Mexico and with inspirational midfielder Antonio Naelson (Sinha) also aging, a few question marks need to be placed next to the team that has won most short tournaments in Mexico.
Player to watch: 34-year-old attacking midfielder Antonio Naelson (Sinha) may make a comeback in the Mexican team but his responsibility with Toluca has grown in the off-season. New boss Sergio Lugo will be counting on him to bring a bit of flair and fight to a Toluca side that have a number of doubters.Stadium: Nemesio Diez (25,000)
Nickname: Diablos Rojos (Red Devils)
Webpage: www.deportivotolucafc.com
Titles: 10
ATLASA split dressing room and financial problems combined with poor performances in the Apertura 2010 when the team finished bottom of the general table. It's all change this time out though as the directors have brought in a number of interesting signings. Colombian centre back Wilman Conde already looks a shrewd signing while Chilean goalkeeper Miguel Pinto and giant Honduran centre forward Carlo Costly could both prove valuable. Looking over their shoulder at relegation Atlas should've bought enough quality players to see them safe. Top of the league after two games, they could be a surprise package if they can keep the dressing room united. Nice to see the directors stick with Mexican coach Benjamin Galindo and back him in the transfer market.
Player to watch: 20-year-old attacking midfielder Edgar Pacheco can play in a variety of positions. A Guadalajara native with a passion for the club, Pacheco could be key in helping the new foreigners integrating in the team. Obviously has a good relationship with Galindo and is very enthusiastic.Stadium: Jalisco (60,000)
Nicknames: Zorros (Foxes), Rojinegros
Webpage: www.atlas.com.mx
Titles: 1
PACHUCAMore consistency is required from a team that was until two tournaments the most successful in short tournaments. The oldest club in Mexico only lost to Monterrey because the northern team finished ahead of them in the general table so their quality is clear. The disaster at the World Club Championship can't of done Pachuca's confidence. A tighter defence is required to stop them leaking goals like last term. The loss of Dario Cvitanich as principal goalscorer could cost them at the other end too.
Player to watch: 26-year-old Colombian Yulian Anchico has already started the season well and is Pachuca's most important signing of the off-season.Stadium: Hidalgo
Nickname: Tuzos
Webpage: www.tuzos.com.mx
Titles: 5
GROUP 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRUZ AZULThe Mexico City team finished top of the general table last season but went out at the first stage of the playoffs. Unfair perhaps, but that's the nature of the game in Mexico. Without a title since 1997 and one of Mexico's "big four," Cruz Azul fans demand a title. The team has lost 3 finals in the last 6 tournaments. It's hard to know what more they can do but they've again spent money on reinforcements, Chileans Hugo Droguett and Waldo Ponce being the highest profile. One of the favourites again but lost 3-0 to Atlante in jornada 2. Only time will tell whether that was just a hiccup but on paper they have perhaps the best team in the league.
Player to watch: Christian "Chaco" Gimenez (29, midfielder, Argentina): Cruz Azul's best player in the last tournament provides the midfield magic that strikers Javier Orozco and Emanuel Villa feed off.Stadium: Azul
Nickname: La Maquina
Webpage: www.cruz-azul.com.mx
Titles: 8
JAGUARES DE CHIAPASThe team from the southern state of Chiapas qualified for the liguilla last time out and will be hoping for the same this season. With the Copa Libertadores also on their agenda there could potentially be a problem balancing the two competitions especially with the losses of Danilinho and Carlos Ochoa to Tigres. "Profe" Cruz' likes to line up with three men in the centre of defence with two wingbacks which is now rare in the Modern game. It served Jaguares well in the Apertura 2010 though as they had the second best defence. The most noticeable recruit is Damian Manso from Pachuca. Four points from the first two games bodes well.
Player to watch: 24-year-old Colombian striker Jackson Martinez recovered from injury for the second half of the Apertura 2010 and was the main reason Jaguares made it to the playoffs. A good tournament from Martinez will be crucial to Jaguares' chances.Stadium: Victor Manuel Reyna (25,000)
Nickname: Jaguares
Webpage: www.soyjaguar.com
Titles: 0
UNAMPumas will be relying on youth team products again in the Clausura 2011. Last time out they scraped into the playoffs and then put out top placed team Cruz Azul and went on to the semi-finals. Now without veteran goalkeeper Sergio Bernal, repeating the feat may be difficult. They've made a decent start with four points from their opening two games.
Player to watch: Martin Bravo (24, striker, Argentina), alongside Dante Lopez, has the big responsibility of getting Pumas the goals they lacked last season.Stadium: Olimpico Universitario (70,000)
Nickname: Pumas
Webpage: www.clubpumasunam.com
Titles: 6
QUERETAROAvoiding relegation is the name of the game for Queretaro this season. The owners have gambled on Argentine coach Gustavo Matosas who has never coached in Mexico before. A total of eleven players have been brought in to avoid the drop. So far they've managed just one point and crucially lost to fellow strugglers Atlas in jornada 2. Matosas needs to get the new players to gel quickly or hope Necaxa have a really terrible tournament. Interestingly, Queretaro have never made the playoffs.
Player to watch: Carlos Bueno: The vastly experienced Uruguayan striker comes to Mexico after stints with Paris Saint German, Sporting Libon, Boca Juniors, Real Sociedad and la U de Chile. With that pedigree comes responsibility and Queretaro know Bueno has to starting firing immediately. Stadium: La Corregidora (40,000)
Nickname: Gallos Blancos
Webpage: www.clubqueretaro.om
Titles: 0
MORELIA
Coach Tomas Boy threatened to resign after the team didn't make it to the playoffs last time out and a spot in the postseason is a must. The defence was good overall but this time more goals are required. The team's cause was not strengthened by the 5-0 defeat by last season's worst team, Altas. They managed to draw against Chivas at home but much more is required.
Player to watch: Mauricio Romero (28, Argentina, defence) is the rock of the Michoacan team's defence. His fighting spirit and leadership will be vital, especially if internal difficulties erupt within the squad.Stadium: Morelos (40,000)
Nickname: Monarcas
Webpage: www.fuerzamonarca.com
Titles: 1
PUEBLABattles between the directors mean Puebla have been making as much news off the pitch as they have on it over the last few months. One point from two games doesn't look good either. The team seems to have lost the discipline that they acquired under Chelis. Puebla came top of the cards league last year but a lot of work is needed if they are to get anywhere near the top of the general table. Ten new signings in all.
Player to watch: Nelson "Pipino" Cuevas (30, striker, Paraguay) was sensational when he played in Mexico for Pachuca but awful when he made the move to America. Back in Mexico for a second stint, Puebla are hoping the brilliance returns.Stadium: Cuauhtemoc (48,000)
Nickname: La Franja, Camoteros
Webpage: www.pueblafutbolclub.com.mx
Titles: 2
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Well done...
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