With three matchdays left in the 2025 Liga MX Apertura season, five of the ten playoff spots have already been claimed in what has been one of the most star-studded seasons in recent Mexican football history.
Defending Champions Toluca Lead the Way
Toluca, champions of the 2025 Clausura season, have finished in the top two of the regular season table in both halves of the 2024–25 campaign. Their squad is arguably their strongest in over a decade, boasting offensive firepower that consistently outpaces the rest of Liga MX.
After back-to-back wins over Club América to close out the last campaign, their only losses in 14 games have come against fellow playoff-qualified sides, Cruz Azul and Tigres UANL. Manager Antonio “Turco” Mohamed leads a side that has scored 39 goals — nine more than any other team in the league. Portuguese forward Paulinho has netted 10 goals, while El Tri international Alexis Vega has contributed eight assists. Argentine Midfielder Nicolás Castro, 24, who transferred from Elche in Spain’s second division, has also been a standout.
Toluca’s most entertaining match this season was a 6–2 demolition of Monterrey at home in September. The Red Devils ran riot in an end-to-end affair, eventually dismantling Monterrey’s fragile backline, while Sergio Ramos had a panenka penalty saved for what would have been a 2-0 lead. Toluca remain the team to beat as they face Pachuca, Atlas, and a final regular-season home match against Club América.
Liga MX’s Biggest-Spending Clubs Set the Standard
The remaining qualified teams are among Liga MX’s top spenders, all investing heavily in international talent. Club América, while slightly dimmed after three consecutive titles, have stabilized under manager André Jardine with a 9-3-2 record. Their only defeats came against rivals Cruz Azul and Chivas. Pressure has mounted after failing to qualify for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, losing to MLS side LAFC, and losing in the Super Cup, but the squad’s depth keeps them in contention.
El Tri international goalkeeper Luis Malagón continues to fight for Mexico’s starting spot ahead of the World Cup, while USMNT’s Alex Zendejas has eight goal involvements. Frenchman Allan Saint-Maximin is still adapting to his new team, and previously valuable striker Henry Martín, 32, has battled a knee injury limiting his appearances. América will need a fully healthy squad, and the right mental fortitude for their playoff push.
Cruz Azul’s final regular-season test of note comes against Monterrey. La Máquina (8-5-1) have struggled for consistency, winning only once in their last five games — that victory was against América. Colombian international keeper Kevin Mier has been inconsistent, but defender Willer Ditta remains a rock at the back. Gabriel Fernández and Ángel Sepúlveda carry the attacking load, but Cruz Azul will need to unlock more goals to thrive in the postseason.
Clásico Regio to Decide a Possible Top 2 Finish
Monterrey Rayados and Tigres UANL will clash in the Clasico Regio, a matchup that could be decisive for playoff positioning. Both teams lead Liga MX in attendance and often top payrolls as well — in Monterrey, this rivalry isn’t just a game, it’s a conversation at workplaces, family dinners, and social gatherings for years. This year’s Clasico is set for Monterrey’s Estadio BBVA, one of the 2026 World Cup host stadiums.
Tigres enter the match in slightly better form, just a point behind Monterrey. They have conceded only 14 goals while scoring 29. Under first-time but rapidly improving manager Guido Pizarro, Tigres are undefeated in Liga MX, with a recent 5–3 win over Necaxa showcasing a more fluid attacking style.
Veteran Argentine goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán, 39, remains one of Latin America’s finest. The squad isn’t easy to score against or break down, and Argentine forward Ángel Correa, a summer transfer from Atlético Madrid, has contributed five goals and three assists, forming a potent partnership with a third Argentine Juan Brunetta, 28, who has eight goals this season. Diego Lainez continues to fight for a spot on El Tri’s World Cup roster, while André-Pierre Gignac provides leadership, even if he is no longer the squad’s primary striker at nearly 40 years old.
Tigres are favored to defeat Tijuana Xolos and Atlético San Luis in two of their final three fixtures, making the November 1 Clasico crucial for securing a top-two finish.
Will Monterrey Rayados Remain Top Four?
Monterrey, managed by Domenec Torrent, field a veteran “win-now” squad after reaching the knockout stage of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Uruguay’s Santiago Mele has improved the goalkeeper position, Colombian Stefan Medina continues to hit milestones, and 39-year-old captain Sergio Ramos remains a defensive anchor, leading the team in minutes played while contributing two goals from forward runs and penalties. European stars Sergio Canales (seven goal involvements) and Oliver Torres (five) control midfield, while new El Tri player German Berterame and Argentine Lucas Ocampos lead the attack with nine and eleven goal involvements, respectively, both players improving significantly from last season.
The Rayados face a tough finish to the regular season, playing Cruz Azul, Tigres, and Chivas. Their defense has conceded more than any other playoff-eligible team making games entertaining but high risk, like a 2-2 draw with America earlier this season. Unlocking marquee transfer Anthony Martial, who has yet to score or assist in six appearances, will be key. Martial has shown flashes of promise with his new team but also frustration.
Youngsters like U-23 World Cup participant Iker Fimbres and 19-year-old Joaquín Moxica, who recently scored his first Liga MX goal, could be the X-factor Monterrey needs to avoid a disappointing playoff exit. The Clasico Regio is almost always a thriller, since 2024 Monterrey Rayados is 2-1-2, it’s narrow margins and high stakes. Players like Canales and Brunetta will be aiming for magical golazos that will live long in the memory.
Revitalized Chivas and Tijuana Fight for Play-In Spots
Tijuana Xolos, home to Mexican Gold Cup and U-23 World Cup wonderkid Gilberto Mora, have built around him effectively. Kevin Castañeda has seven goal involvements, and Mora has three goals in 10 games. With upcoming matches against Tigres, Pumas UNAM, and Atlas, Xolos aim to avoid the play-in and finish sixth or better. The borderland side has taken advantage of the opportunity to gain points in their home games this season.
Chivas Guadalajara, currently eighth, have surged with four wins in five games, their season was finally kickstarted 2–1 Clasico Nacional victory over Club América. Their backline is young, while goalkeeper Raúl Rangel is 25. Efrain Álvarez, 23, recently transferred from Xolos, has four goal involvements, and Armando González has seven goals. Both teams are showing promising signs for the future, even if inconsistency limits their potential right now.
The Fight for Playoff Positioning
The battle for the final play-in spots (7-10) is intense. Tijuana sits sixth on goal differential, tied on points with Pachuca, who have a 6-3-5 record. Pachuca’s squad includes U-23 World Cup participant Elías Montiel, but they lack a dominant striker. Enner Valencia has only played six games, even though he still leads Ecuador’s strike force heading into the 2026 World Cup.
FC Juárez is ninth, a point behind Chivas and two behind Pachuca and Tijuana. Atletico San Luis and Atlas trail further by three points, while Pumas UNAM, Santos Laguna, and Querétaro lag behind for the final play-in position. James Rodriguez and Club León has slumped to 16th, and rumors persist about last place Puebla being sold, while Necaxa, the focus of an FX documentary, occupy 17th place.
Pumas, despite having Costa Rican legend Keylor Navas in goal, have struggled to regenerate their performance under manager Efraín Juárez. Welsh international Aaron Ramsey has been ineffective for his new club, though he embraced the opportunity to play and live in Mexico.
The divide between Liga MX’s top clubs and the rest of the league is stark. With the top teams securing playoff berths, they can now partially rest and recuperate key players, while the middle of the table continues to battle for survival and positioning. The league is seeing increased coverage in English, as CBS Sports Golazo picked up rights to broadcast select games in the United States in English.
Main Photo Credit: Imago Images copyright: xJosexHernandezx
