Now there are eight teams left.
With the 2025 Apertura regular season concluded and the initial play-in round completed, setting the playoff stage for Liga MX to kick off this week.
It’s no shock for seasoned Liga MX fans to see heavyweights vying for playoff success. Current champions Toluca have dominated, and well-known teams like Club América and Chivas de Guadalajara have also clinched spots. Other strong contenders like Tigres, Monterrey, and Cruz Azul have put themselves in a strong position as well.
The Liguilla often brings unexpected surprises and thrilling moments. So, who will emerge victorious?
Let’s explore a team-by-team preview of the Liga MX playoffs, organized into three tiers.
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Tier 1: Title Contenders
Regular Season Record: 11W-4D-2L (1st place)
League Titles: 11
Playoff Journey
After starting off slower than expected with a 3W-1D-2L record, Toluca has rallied with an impressive 12-match unbeaten streak across competitions.
Despite the absence of injured star Alexis Vega, who is anticipated to return for the Liguilla, top goal scorer Paulinho has proven essential, leading the league with 12 goals.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Without a doubt, Toluca boasts the most potent attack in Liga MX. They lead the league in expected goals (xG) with 33.71 and total goals scored (43). Key contributors include Paulinho, along with Vega, Nicolás Castro, and Jesús Ricardo Angulo.
While it’s challenging to identify a true weakness for the top seed, keeping an eye on Vega’s fitness is critical. Additionally, more defense-oriented teams like Atlas, Pachuca, and Tijuana managed to take points from Toluca last month.
Player to Watch
No surprise here: it’s Paulinho. His acquisition in 2024 was a fantastic move for Toluca, establishing him as arguably the top forward in Mexican football. The 33-year-old has netted 10 goals and provided an assist in his last eight Liga MX matches.
Playoff Outlook
Expect Toluca to at least reach the finals without much trouble against the 8th seed, FC Juárez. The home crowd at Toluca offers one of the best atmospheres in Liga MX, fueling a team eager to prove themselves compared to the traditional giants of Mexican soccer.
Regular Season Record: 10W-4D-3L (4th place)
League Titles: 16 (most in Liga MX)
Playoff Journey
A strong start gave way to a few bumps in the road, with two losses to playoff teams in recent weeks. Nonetheless, the impressive tenure of Brazilian coach André Jardine nurtures confidence as he has steered the club to three league titles since 2023.
Strengths and Weaknesses
While often recognized for their offensive prowess, Club América deserves credit for boasting a strong defense, leading the league in successful tackles and duels. Only Tigres conceded fewer goals, despite occasional concerns with goalkeeper Ángel Malagón.
Yet, Las Aguilas often struggle in match openings, ranking lowest among playoff teams in first-half goals (10). By contrast, Toluca scored 22 in the first halves this season.
Player to Watch
Look out for Alejandro Zendejas, a U.S. international returning from injury. He’s an impactful presence for Club América, bringing agility and technical skill critical in the attacking third.
Playoff Outlook
With Zendejas back, he could make game-changing contributions. Expect to see Allan Saint-Maximin emerging as a crucial player in the postseason. Despite some inconsistency since joining, he tends to shine on significant occasions.
Regular Season Record: 10W-6D-1L (2nd place)
League Titles: 8
Playoff Journey
After a challenging 3-1 loss to Club América in August, Tigres have yet to lose again in Liga MX under their new manager, Guido Pizarro, remaining undefeated across their last 13 games.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Their home ground, known as “El Volcan,” has become an impregnable fortress, boasting a remarkable goal differential of +14 over nine matches alongside an average of 2.4 goals scored per game.
However, Tigres have also earned the most yellow cards (46) among playoff teams, and the physicality sometimes leads to controversies and red cards, having seen seven in their last four matches.
Player to Watch
The goal-scoring burden has shifted from legend André-Pierre Gignac to Argentine talent Ángel Correa. With seven goal contributions in the last month, he will be key in the playoffs.
Playoff Outlook
Gignac, known as “Mr. Liguilla,” is likely to deliver some memorable performances again, especially since this might be one of his final seasons before his contract expires next summer.
Tier 2: Underdogs
Regular Season Record: 9W-2D-6L (6th place)
League Titles: 12
Playoff Journey
Chivas have garnered momentum lately, bouncing back from a poor start that saw them with just one win in their first six games to collect seven victories in their last eight.
Manager Gabriel Milito’s 3-4-2-1 formation produced a convincing 4-2 victory over Monterrey in the last match of the regular season.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Chivas thrives at regaining possession in attacking areas, ranking second in the league for both high turnovers and conversions into shots. However, their shot accuracy of 29.8% makes them the least efficient team in the playoffs.
Player to Watch
Effective in front of goal, Armando “Hormiga” González has emerged from the academy to lead the team with 12 goals. His performance is crucial as he attracts interest from European clubs.
Playoff Outlook
Chivas are primed for an upset victory over Cruz Azul. With an impressive recent run and a reliable scorer like González, this could be the turning point they’ve awaited for years, despite long odds for the title.
Regular Season Record: 10W-5D-2L (3rd place)
League Titles: 9
Playoff Journey
A promising start for Cruz Azul saw them go undefeated for 10 matches, but they’ve faced challenges lately, including injuries to key players like goalkeeper Kevin Mier, which could hamper their playoff success.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The team excels in maintaining possession and leads playoff teams in recovering possession in central areas. However, Mier’s injury leaves them vulnerable on the defensive end with backup Andres Gudiño, who lacks Mier’s reliability.
Player to Watch
Cruz Azul midfielder Carlos “Charly” Rodríguez created the most chances among all playoff teams, demonstrating his importance with seven contributions in scoring during the season.
Playoff Outlook
Regrettably, Cruz Azul won’t pass beyond the quarterfinals. Their potential exists but recent performance trends, coupled with Mier’s absence, indicate they’re likely to fall early.
Regular Season Record: 9W-4D-4L (5th place)
League Titles: 5
Playoff Journey
Monterrey’s star-studded roster hasn’t translated into consistent success, as they’ve faced ups and downs in the regular season, finishing with only one win in the last six matches, including a disappointing 4-2 loss to Chivas.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Monterrey, packed with talent, is a team capable of surprising; names like Sergio Ramos, Anthony Martial, and Óliver Torres offer considerable threat on the field. However, unable to coordinate the talent effectively, their inconsistent strategies have left the team to chase late playoff positions.
Player to Watch
Among the stars, Ramos stands out as the leader, not only defending but also facilitating play, leading the league in successful passes made. With uncertainty around his future, this may be a pivotal moment in his career.
Playoff Outlook
Ending the season on a high note could be crucial; however, they seem unlikely to overcome Club América early in the playoffs. As always, the high-profile roster will fall short of expected outcomes.
Tier 3: Long Shooters
Regular Season Record: 6W-6D-5L (7th place)
League Titles: 1
Playoff Journey
Inconsistent throughout the season, Xolos secured their playoff spot with a 3-1 victory against Juárez in the play-in round. Manager Sebastián Abreu has had to maximize results with limited resources, currently ranking fourth for expected goals (27.65), yet they struggle away from home.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Playing at home in Estadio Caliente, however, Xolos remain unbeaten, allowing only six goals over nine games, posing a significant challenge for Tigres in their quarterfinal matchup. Yet, a lack of depth has hindered their consistency, contributing to late-game collapses.
Player to Watch
Keep an eye on teenage prodigy Gilberto Mora, who has shown maturity beyond his years, exemplified by his confidence in executing a panenka penalty during the season.
Playoff Outlook
While Mora may deliver some memorable moments, Xolos face a formidable challenge in getting past Tigres, with a quarterfinal exit still exceeding expectations for the season.
Regular Season Record: 6W-5D-6L (8th place)
League Titles: 0
Playoff Journey
Similar to Xolos, Juárez has exhibited inconsistency, with their best stretch being a three-game win streak in August. After a play-in loss to Xolos, they managed to secure the last playoff spot by defeating Pachuca.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Threats in aerial battles, Juárez leads the league in headed shots and excels at winning aerial duels. However, they struggle significantly with scoring, tallying just 27 goals which is the lowest among playoff teams, resulting in a negative goal differential.
Player to Watch
Their chances hinge on the performance of Colombian striker Oscar Estupiñan, who leads the team with nine goals and has proven reliable from the penalty spot. Can he make a difference against Toluca?
Playoff Outlook
No matter the outcome, Juárez is just grateful to reach this stage. Although they may face a tough match against Toluca, their presence in the playoffs marks a significant achievement compared to previous seasons.