Two Liga MX sides will collide in an all-Mexican affair as Club America take on Atlas in the Round of 32 of the Leagues Cup on Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

The most recent meeting between both sides came in March, with La Aguilas recording a massive 5-1 victory over La Academia.

Club America enjoyed a productive domestic break with high-profile friendlies against Premier League opposition, Chelsea and Aston Villa, helping them stay in shape.

While they were outclassed by the Blues, suffering a 3-0 defeat on August 1, they bounced back to secure a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa two days later.

As reigning Liga MX champions, America bypassed the Leagues Cup group stage and entered the competition at the Round of 32 stage, making this their first game in the competition this year.

Their quest for a maiden Leagues Cup title begins with a familiar foe in Atlas, a side they have faced 55 times in the past, winning 27 and losing 14 encounters.

However, America's domestic campaign has been inconsistent, with two wins and two defeats from their opening four matches, leaving them ninth in the table, four points adrift of the summit.

Atlas progressed to the Round of 32 despite a 2-1 loss to MLS side Real Salt Lake in their final group game at America First Field in Sandy, Utah, last Friday.

Their 1-0 win over Houston Dynamo on matchday one was enough to secure second place in Group H, as they finished with a better goal difference than RLS.

The three-time Mexican champions were eliminated at the same stage of last year's Leagues Cup by MLS side New England Revolution on penalties, and they will be hoping to avoid a repeat.

As they aim for their first Leagues Cup title, Atlas will need to improve on their previous performance against America to keep their hopes alive, having lost woefully to them in March.

Club America will remain without 27-year-old centre-back Jorge Mere, who is out with a cruciate ligament tear and expected to miss the rest of the year.

Kevin Alvarez and Diego Valdes are also sidelined with foot injuries, while Alejandro Zendejas is out with a leg injury until later this month.

Atlas will line up without Brian Lozano as he continues his recovery from a knee surgery, while Mauro Manotas is also sidelined with an ACL injury.

Leonardo Flores is also expected to be out of action until mid-September, as he is dealing with a leg injury.

Club America possible starting lineup:Malagon; Reyes, Araujo, Castillo, Calderon; Fidalgo, E. Sanchez, R. Sanchez, Dilrosun; Zendejas, Martin

Atlas possible starting lineup:Vargas; Zaldivar, G. Aguirre, Mora, Reyes; Rocha, Rios; Murillo, Marquez, Fulgencio; E. Aguirre

Club America have not looked convincing in the opening league matches, but facing tougher opposition during the break is expected to help them increase their intensity.

While Atlas have looked decent so far, their recent results against America show that they have struggled to deliver the knockout blow, and we expect this to be the case again.For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Key Storylines

The 2024 Leagues Cup is a crucial tournament for both teams, with different objectives in mind.

Club América, the reigning Liga MX champions, is considered a favorite to lift the Leagues Cup trophy. For them, anything less than a quarterfinal appearance would be seen as a major disappointment. Their first game of the tournament will be a tough test against a familiar rival, Atlas.

Atlas, on the other hand, enters the tournament as the underdog. They just barely made it to the Round of 32 after finishing with three points in their group. For them, an upset victory over Club América would be a massive boost to their confidence and a statement that they are not to be underestimated.

Where to Watch the Match

The match between Club América and Atlas will be televised in the United States on Apple TV's MLS Season Pass.

Prediction

Club América is the more experienced and talented team on paper, but Atlas has shown a lot of resilience and determination in recent matches. It's a tough call, but we are predicting a close 2-1 win for Club América.

Recent Form

Club América is coming off a mixed pre-season, with a 3-0 loss to Chelsea and a 1-0 win over Aston Villa. They have also struggled in their opening Liga MX matches, with two wins and two losses. Atlas has had a slightly better run, winning three of their last four games, including a 1-0 win over Houston Dynamo in their final group stage game of the Leagues Cup.

Head-to-Head

Club América has a dominant head-to-head record against Atlas, with 27 wins in 55 encounters. Their last meeting was a 5-1 win for Club América in the 2024 Clausura.

Potential Lineups

Club América:

• Goalkeeper: Malagón
• Defenders: Reyes, Caceres, Lichnovsky, Calderón
• Midfielders: Dos Santos, Fidalgo, Dilrosun, Sánchez
• Forwards: Rodríguez, Martin

Atlas:

• Goalkeeper: Vargas
• Defenders: Zaldivar, G. Aguirre, Mora, Reyes
• Midfielders: Rocha, Rios, Murillo, Márquez, Fulgencio
• Forward: E. Aguirre

Final Thoughts

The match between Club América and Atlas is sure to be a thrilling affair. Both teams have a lot to play for, and the atmosphere at Snapdragon Stadium is sure to be electric. We can't wait to see who emerges victorious from this exciting showdown.

The Eagles Soar

This match is a chance for Club América to make a statement that they are still the dominant force in Mexican football. A win over Atlas would be a huge confidence boost for the Eagles as they look to make a deep run in the Leagues Cup.

The Foxes Bite Back

Atlas will be looking to pull off a major upset. Their recent form against Club América has been poor, but they have the ability to create scoring chances against any team. If they can find a way to get past Club América, it will be a sign of their growing confidence and potential.

Where to Watch

For fans looking to catch the game, it will be televised on Apple TV's MLS Season Pass.

Key Players to Watch

Club América:

• Henry Martín: The prolific striker has been a consistent threat for Club América. He is a key player to watch, as he will be looking to lead the line and find the back of the net against Atlas.

• Brian Rodríguez: The Uruguayan winger is known for his pace, creativity, and ability to take on defenders. He will be a dangerous player on the counter-attack, looking to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.

• Erick Sánchez: The young midfielder has impressed with his technical ability, passing range, and energy. He will be a key player in the midfield battle, looking to dictate the tempo of the game and create chances for Club América.

Atlas:

• Eduardo Aguirre: The forward is a prolific goalscorer, and he will be looking to lead the line for Atlas and cause problems for Club América's defense.

• José Lozano: The Uruguayan midfielder is a creative player who is known for his passing range and ability to find space in midfield. He will be a key player for Atlas, looking to unlock Club América's defense.

• Julio Furch: The experienced striker is a threat in the box, and he will be looking to use his aerial ability to get on the end of crosses and score goals for Atlas.

What's Next?

The winner of this match will advance to the Round of 16 of the Leagues Cup and will face the winner of the match between Inter Miami and Orlando City. The tournament continues with exciting matches that will showcase the best of Liga MX and MLS teams.