Atlas kick-off the 2023-24 Liga MX campaign this weekend by welcoming Cruz Azul to the Estadio Jalisco.
The hosts finished last season by losing in the quarter-finals of 2022-23 Clausura, while the visitors were eliminated by this weekend's opponents in the reclassification stage.
Match preview
A quarter-final defeat to Guadalajara in the 2022-23 Clausura spelled the end of Atlas' hopes of a third Liga MX triumph in three seasons, closing the chapter on a disappointing campaign.
After a 70-year wait, the Zorros tasted glory by winning 2021-22 Apertura and 2021-22 Clausura. However, last season, Benjamin Mora's side could not even qualify for the playoffs in a bid to defend their Apertura crown, picking up 13 points from 17 matches, finishing in 17th place.
The Zorros enjoyed a better second half of the season, finishing in ninth place in the Clausura standings to qualify for the reclassification stage, which saw them edge past Cruz Azul thanks to a strike from Brian Lozano.
However, their title defence came to an end courtesy of their city rivals Chivas, but since that defeat Mora's men have gone undefeated during their pre-season preparations, drawing 1-1 with Tepatitlan de Morelo before cruising past Leones Negros 4-0.
Meanwhile, Cruz Azul have not been running on all cylinders since lifting the Liga MX title just four seasons ago, breaking their 23-year drought in the process.
Ricardo Ferretti is now the man in charge of La Maquina, and after seeing four coaches cycle through the dugout since August last year, he will be hoping to build upon the quarter-final exit in 2022-23 Apertura.
Los Celestes finished in seventh and eighth place in the standings last season picking up 24 points in both tournaments, so Ferretti will be eager to see his side finish higher this campaign.
Cruz Azul's preparations for the new season have not exactly gone to plan, beating Juarez 3-1 before losing to Club America by the same scoreline.
Team News
Hugo Nervo was a key figure at the heart of the Atlas defence last season, making 38 appearances across all competitions, and it seems likely that Anderson Santamaria will partner him at the back here.
Julian Quinones scored 21 goals in his debut season after joining from Tigres in July 2022, so he will be eager to start the campaign as he means to go on this weekend.
As for the visitors, Jesus Corona has bid the club farewell, after making 452 appearances for the club, leaving the club as a free agent.
According to reports, Jesus Duenas is set to become be the fourth new addition at Cruz Azul following recent arrivals Carlos Salcedo, Diber Cambindo and Moises Vieira.
The Juarez player is believed to have agreed terms to join La Maquina, while other reports suggest the club are still hoping to reach an agreement for Alan Pulido and Willer Ditta.
Atlas possible starting lineup:
Vargas; Reyes, Nervo, Santamaria, Abella; Herrera, Marquez, Rocha, Lozano; Quinones, Furch
Cruz Azul possible starting lineup:
Jurado; Lira, Salcedo, Guerrero, Escobar, Vargas; Huescas, Gutierrez, Rotondi, Rodriguez; Antuna
We say: Atlas 1-1 Cruz Azul
Atlas did not possess a great record in front of their own fans last season, winning just five games in total, while Cruz Azul were not great travellers either, so we think this will be a closely-fought contest.
The first game of the season tends to be a tentative affair, so we think both teams will be slow out of the blocks.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
