Fans in the stands celebrate by setting off smoke bombs and fireworks during the second half of the Real Madrid against CD Chivas Guadalajara. Chivas plays Club America in El Super Clasico on April 8, 2012. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)
Chivas Guadalajara need a win over rivals Club America to get back into the Liguilla hunt.
The Super Clasico in the 2012 Clausura happens under circumstances similar to the last Super Clasico, in the 2011 Apertura. The only difference is that the roles are reversed. The last time Chivas Guadalajara and Club America met, the Goats won 3-1, ending America's chances of qualifying for the Liguilla playoffs. On Sunday, depending on the results of other matches, America can return the favor.
Club America are fifth in the league and look like a Liguilla team. Chivas, on the other hand, sit in 11th place, three points off of a Liguilla place. They got off to an absolutely abysmal start, failing to win in their first seven matches, but they have been much better in recent weeks. That is, except for last week, when they were caught looking ahead in the schedule and were upset by a poor Estudiantes Tecos team.
Neither team is dealing with serious injury problems, though both are missing one player for sure. Central defender Juan Carlos Valenzuela is out for America, while midfielder Antonio Gallardo will miss out for Chivas. Chivas captain Hector Reynoso is also questionable but if he can one would expect him to play in the derby. America, who were also caught looking ahead in a 3-2 home loss to Monterrey last week, played young Garcia Betanzos in place of Valenzuela. Jorge Reyes and Aquivaldo Mosquera started in defense in their previous match, a loss to Morelia. All three defenders could be in contention to start next to Venezuelan international Oswaldo Vizcarrondo.
Chivas have been rotating players due to Mexican Under-23 call-ups and their participation in Copa Libertadores, so their actual preferred starting XI is anyone's guess. Marco Fabian and Miguel Ponce are expected to return to the starting XI for the Clasico, while youngsters Giovanni Casillas and Carlos Fierro are in contention to make their first career Super Clasico starts.
Game Date/Time: Sunday, April 8, 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Estadio Omnilife, Guadalajara, Mexico
TV: Telemundo
For more on the Super Clasico and all of Mexican football, head over to FMF State Of Mind. We'll have coverage before, during, and after the game in our Chivas Vs. America, 2012 Super Clasico StoryStream.
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