Necaxa (w) vs Pachuca (w) on 27 January
The Women’s Liga MX is set to witness an enthralling clash between Necaxa (W) and Pachuca (W) on January 27th, as both sides will battle for vital points in the pursuit of glory. The match promises to be a tactical chess match between two sides with contrasting styles. Necaxa, struggling for consistency, will face an uphill task against Pachuca, who have been in fine form. The game will take place at the Estadio Victoria, where the stakes could not be higher for both teams. Pachuca will look to consolidate their position in the upper half of the table, while Necaxa will be fighting for survival in the competition. With such high stakes, this promises to be a thrilling encounter filled with intensity, drama, and skill.
Necaxa (w): Tactical Approach and Current Form
Necaxa's form has been up and down in recent weeks, with a record of just one win in their last five matches (W1 D2 L2). They have struggled to find consistency, and their tactical approach has been a reflection of their inconsistency. A 4-2-3-1 formation has been their preferred setup under coach Miguel Hernández, with an emphasis on solid defensive organization and quick transitions. Their primary focus is to keep their shape compact and exploit the wide areas in attack. With a possession rate averaging 45% in recent matches, they have often been on the back foot, relying on counter-attacks and set pieces for scoring opportunities.
Key stats like pass accuracy (74%) and xG (1.02 per match) indicate their struggles to build attacks in the final third. Defensively, they have been solid, conceding an average of 1.2 goals per game. The central defensive pairing of Claudia Ríos and Karla Martínez has been a crucial aspect of their defensive resilience, often marshalling opposition attacks with a high degree of discipline. However, their vulnerability in dealing with high-pressing teams is something that will need to be addressed if they are to have any hope of stopping Pachuca’s potent offensive setup.
In terms of individual contributions, the playmaking duties fall on midfielder Mariana González, who has been the engine behind their transitions. However, her influence has waned in recent weeks, with opposing teams beginning to neutralize her runs. Necaxa will need a big performance from their attack leader, Mónica Ocampo, who has a knack for scoring in tight situations. The absence of injured striker Jacqueline Ovalle could further complicate Necaxa’s hopes of producing a consistent attacking threat.
Pachuca (w): Tactical Approach and Current Form
Pachuca, on the other hand, has been in imperious form, winning four of their last five matches (W4 D1 L0). Coach Juan Carlos Cacho has built a side that is strong on possession, averaging 60% ball possession over their last five fixtures, and they use this dominance to dictate the tempo of games. Their 4-3-3 formation is built around a high press and quick ball circulation, with the full-backs pushing forward to overlap with the wingers, providing width and support in the final third. This attacking approach has yielded them a high xG of 2.1 per match, with their efficient build-up play and clinical finishing standing out as key features of their game.
In terms of key players, Pachuca boasts a dynamic attacking trio in the form of Mónica Vergara, Charlyn Corral, and Jenny Ruiz. Vergara’s creativity in the final third, combined with Corral’s clinical finishing and Ruiz’s pace, makes them a constant threat to any defensive setup. With an average of 10.5 shots on goal per game, Pachuca has shown their ability to create and convert chances in the attacking third. However, they do rely heavily on the link-up play between Vergara and Corral to break down deep defenses, and this could be pivotal against a well-organized Necaxa defense.
Defensively, Pachuca has been solid, conceding just 0.8 goals per match, thanks in part to the commanding presence of centre-back Karla Nieto. Nieto’s leadership at the back has been a key factor in their defensive stability, and her ability to read the game will be crucial in nullifying Necaxa’s counter-attacks. Despite this, Pachuca’s occasional vulnerability to counter-attacks could leave them exposed against quick transitions, something Necaxa might try to exploit.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
The head-to-head record between Necaxa and Pachuca in the Women’s Liga MX has heavily favored Pachuca, who have won four of the last five encounters. Their most recent meeting ended in a 3-1 victory for Pachuca, with Necaxa struggling to cope with their high press and quick attacking transitions. Historically, Pachuca has always been the more dominant side, and their attacking prowess has consistently overwhelmed Necaxa's defensive setups. While Necaxa has often made it difficult for Pachuca in terms of defensive resilience, they have found it difficult to deal with the pace and movement of Pachuca’s forwards.
Psychologically, Pachuca enters this match with a lot of confidence, buoyed by their recent form. Necaxa, on the other hand, will be feeling the pressure as they need points to avoid falling further behind in the standings. This could lead to a more desperate, reactive style of play, where they sit deep and look for quick counter-attacks.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
One of the most important tactical battles will take place on the flanks. Pachuca’s full-backs, such as Diana Gómez, are often involved in their attacking build-up, overlapping with the wingers to stretch the opposition. Necaxa’s wide defenders, particularly Andrea González, will need to be alert to this threat and provide cover for their central defenders. The pace of Pachuca’s wingers, notably Ruiz, will pose a real danger to Necaxa’s defensive shape, especially if they leave space behind when pressing forward.
Another key duel will be in central midfield. Necaxa’s Mariana González will need to orchestrate their counter-attacks and maintain possession in the middle of the park. However, she will be up against the industrious Estefanía Banini of Pachuca, whose ability to break up opposition attacks and drive the team forward could be decisive. Winning the battle in midfield will be crucial for both teams in establishing dominance and dictating the flow of the match.
Match Scenario and Prediction
Given the tactical setups and current form of both teams, the most likely scenario is that Pachuca will dominate possession and control the tempo of the game. Necaxa, sitting deeper and looking to hit on the counter, will attempt to frustrate Pachuca’s high press. Pachuca’s attacking superiority should eventually break through, but Necaxa’s defense will likely make them work for every goal. Expect a tightly contested first half, with Pachuca edging the game in terms of possession and opportunities. In the second half, Pachuca’s attacking depth should shine through as they create more chances and wear down Necaxa’s defensive line.
Prediction: Pachuca (W) 2-0 Necaxa (W). Given the current form, strength in attack, and defensive solidity of Pachuca, they should have the upper hand in this fixture. Expect them to dominate possession and capitalize on their chances to secure a relatively comfortable win.
Final Thoughts
With both teams entering the match with clear tactical identities, the key to this encounter will be whether Necaxa can withstand Pachuca’s relentless pressure and exploit any potential weaknesses on the counter. The result will likely hinge on how well Necaxa can contain Pachuca’s attacking trio and how effective their defensive line will be in dealing with the constant threats. Will Pachuca continue their dominant run, or can Necaxa pull off an upset? This match will answer whether Necaxa’s defensive resolve can hold against one of the league's most potent offenses.
