Like the playoff system or not, it certainly provides a good deal of interest when it comes to the business end of the season. It also gives teams that have been mediocre for large parts of the campaign plenty of chances to squeeze into one of those top eight ahead of the postseason roulette. Chivas are hoping that their lukewarm season -- just three wins in 13 matches -- can spring to life starting this weekend.
Another three victories from the final four games will see the Guadalajara club in or close to the playoffs, and Sunday's game in the Estadio Omnlife against Atlante is the easiest you could ask for at this point.
Chivas head into the game still without Hector Reynoso, Marco Fabian and Jorge Enriquez, but Luis Michel returns in goal.
Antonio Rodriguez looked shaky last week in net and Michel's presence will bring a welcome calmness to a defense without captain Reynoso. Abel Fuentes -- on loan from Tigres -- is expected to take Reynoso's place, following Victor Perales' nightmare first half against Jaguares last Friday. Five goals conceded in the last two games highlight the problems in the defensive unit.
Enriquez's absence is less damaging, with Patricio Araujo and Luis Perez more than established in the Liga MX and able replacements. In fact, they have been coach Benjamin Galindo's starting pair in central midfield for most of the season.
Where Galindo could spring another surprise is the introduction of Carlos Fierro on the left wing, instead of Giovani Hernandez. Indications from training during the week in Verde Valle suggest that will be the case.
Again, with the young defense, a lot of responsibility is on the strike-force of Miguel Sabah and Rafael Marquez Lugo -- called into the Mexico squad this week and by a long way the best Chivas player this Clausura season -- to outscore the opposition. The experienced forward line will have to be firing on all cylinders not just Sunday but for what remains of the season.
Three points is a must against Atlante and with Fabian and Reynoso back for next week's clash against high-flying city rivals Atlas, they would be a massive boost after two consecutive defeats. They would also help hold off the likely media barrage dissecting what has, so far, been another below-par season for Chivas.
Predicted lineup: Michel, Sergio Perez, Kristian Alvarez, Fuentes, Miguel Ponce, Araujo, L Perez, Sanchez, Fierro, Marquez Lugo, Sabah.
Opposition watch: Atlante
The Potros come into the game against Chivas off the back of losing the Copa MX final on Wednesday on penalties against Cruz Azul. The psychological repercussions could be significant and coach Daniel Guzman's job is thought to be on the line if Atlante don't at least put on a performance against Chivas. On the face of it, the team's confidence is shot, with six straight Liga MX defeats and just seven points gained all season.
Aside from that, Chivas usually do well at home against Atlante, winning seven of the last 10 games in Guadalajara against the Potros and losing just once.