There are two teams without wins in the 2011 Clausura tournament. One of them is Necaxa, which fired coach Daniel Brailovsky and is on the verge of being demoted to the Liga de Acenso, Mexico's minor league circuit.
The other one yet to taste victory this season is Chivas de Guadalajara, one of Mexico's most popular teams and one of the wealthiest in Latin America.
Chivas will be looking for their first three points when they host Atlante Potros on Saturday in a Week 5 matchup.
Guadalajara's coach, José Luis Real, has a young roster and that's proven to be costly. He has struggled to field a competitive team. Chivas fans have been very frustrated but the team's coaching staff has the patience to work with a young, inexperienced squad.
"I realize there is more to be expected from a club like Chivas de Guadalajara," said the coach when asked about the outspoken fan base. "They can say what they want. I'm not concerned about it."
Fans have expressed their dismay with signs and jeers in their home stadium, Estadio Omnilife, demanding the coach to be fired.
Chivas has three ties so far this season, and 16 of its last 20 game have also resulted in draws.
It's a different story with Atlante.
Lead by coach Miguel Herrera, the Potros are moving further away from demotion.
Herrera, also known as "El Piojo," doesn't have a team packed with stars but he's been able to lead his players to create a fluid brand of soccer. The team knows how to mount an early attack.
But that might not matter in this game.
Both teams tend to give entertaining matches when they clash despite Chivas having the upper hand in recent years.
Guadalajara has not lost to Atlante at home in eight years. Their last loss to the Potros at home came during the 2003 Clausura tournament.
Since then, Atlante has tied Chivas on occasion on the road but has struggled, including a 7-0 rout during the 2004 Clausura tournament.
The teams have met 72 times since 1975 with both tied with a 22-22-28 record during that stretch.
Tijuana's team
It's been a rough start for the Xolos de Tijuana in defending their Division de Acenso championship. Tijuana is looking for its first win after starting the 2011 Clausura tournament with a 0-2-2 record heading into a Week 5 match at Dorados de Sinaloa. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. local time.
The Xolos are coming off a 3-3 tie with Esmeraldas de León in their home opener last week.
Mexican First Division Clausura Tournament
Week 5
Saturday, Feb. 5
Monterrey vs. Pachuca, 3 p.m.
Cruz Azul vs. Jaguares, 3 p.m.
Chivas vs. Atlante, 5 p.m.
San Luis vs. Estudiantes, 6:45 p.m.
Santos vs. Tigres, 5 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 6
Puebla vs. Pumas, 10 a.m.
Toluca vs. Atlas, 10 a.m.
América vs. Queretaro, 2 p.m.
(All are San Diego times.)
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