You know that feeling when you check the table and realize your team is actually deeper in the hole than you thought? That's the vibe for Club América fans right now. We're only a few weeks into the Clausura 2026, and the "Bicampeón" energy has feels like it's evaporated. Honestly, looking at the liga mx proximos partidos, the pressure is mounting faster than usual.
It’s Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you're nursing a hangover or just waking up to grab some chilaquiles, you've got a massive triple-header waiting for you. The league isn't waiting for anyone to find their form.
What is happening today?
Seriously, the schedule today is stacked. We start early at the Olímpico Universitario. Pumas is hosting León at 12:00 PM (CDMX time). Pumas has been surprisingly decent lately, holding onto an unbeaten streak that nobody really saw coming after their shaky preseason. Then we shift gears to Torreón. Santos Laguna, who are currently sitting at the bottom of the barrel with zero points, desperately need to stop the bleeding against Juárez at 5:00 PM.
But the real "grab the popcorn" moment? That's tonight. Pachuca vs. América at 7:00 PM at the Estadio Hidalgo.
América only has one point. One.
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André Jardine is looking a bit stressed on the sidelines, and losing to San Luis last week didn't help. Pachuca isn't exactly flying high either, but they always play the "Aguilas" tough at home. It’s one of those liga mx proximos partidos that could determine if a "crisis" tag gets officially slapped on the Coapa side by Monday morning.
The mid-season grind and Jornada 4
After today, we get a weird little breather. The league takes a break from the weekend madness, and we don't see action again until Friday, January 30. That’s when Jornada 4 kicks off. It's kinda annoying for those of us who want games every three days, but it gives teams like Chivas and Monterrey a chance to integrate their new signings.
Here is what the end of the month looks like:
- Friday, Jan 30: Puebla takes on the reigning champs, Toluca, at 7:00 PM. Simultaneously, Pumas faces Santos, and Juárez hosts Cruz Azul.
- Saturday, Jan 31: This is the big day. Atlas vs. Mazatlán starts it off at 5:00 PM. Then, two heavy-hitter matches at 7:00 PM: León vs. Tigres and Monterrey vs. Tijuana.
- The Nightcap: América is back at it against Necaxa at 9:00 PM.
If you're wondering why the schedule feels a bit "light" during the week, it's because the FMF is trying to manage player load before the February international window. Plus, the 2026 World Cup preparations are starting to loom large over every stadium in the country.
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Why Toluca is actually the team to watch
Most people talk about the "Big Four," but honestly, Toluca is the real deal right now. They won the Apertura 2025 for a reason. Watching Paulinho lead that attack is like watching a masterclass in positioning. They already have two wins from two games and look like they’re playing a different sport compared to the chaos at Mazatlán or Santos.
The battle for the top spot is basically a sprint between Toluca and Chivas. Both are perfect so far. Chivas, under Gabriel Milito, looks disciplined—which is a word I haven't used for them in about a decade. Their upcoming match against San Luis on February 1st is going to be a huge test of whether that discipline is permanent or just a fluke.
Important dates for your calendar
Don't just look at next week. You’ve got to plan for the big ones. The Clásicos are where the season actually lives or dies for most fans.
- Chivas vs. América (El Clásico Nacional): Saturday, February 14. Yes, Valentine’s Day. Nothing says "I love you" like screaming at the TV while the two biggest teams in the country try to bruise each other at the Akron.
- Atlas vs. Chivas & Tigres vs. Monterrey: Saturday, March 7. A double dose of rivalry. The city of Guadalajara and the city of Monterrey basically shut down this day.
- The Liguilla: It all starts May 2, 2026.
The league has confirmed three "Double Rounds" (Jornadas Dobles) this tournament: Jornada 2 (which we just finished), Jornada 9, and Jornada 16. These are the weeks where depth matters. If your bench is thin, your season ends in March.
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Making sense of the chaos
It's easy to get lost in the stats. Right now, the average goals per match is sitting around 3.1, which is actually higher than the last few years. The league is getting faster, and the younger players coming through the ranks at Pachuca and Santos are starting to make the veterans look a bit slow.
If you're betting or just playing fantasy, keep an eye on Tijuana. They’ve been the "dark horse" of the early season. Juan Carlos Osorio has them playing this weird, high-pressing style that is catching everyone off guard. They haven't lost yet, and their match against Monterrey in Jornada 4 is going to be a tactical chess match.
What you should do now
Stop relying on those buggy apps that update twenty minutes late. If you want to stay on top of the liga mx proximos partidos, here is the move:
- Check the TV rights: It’s a mess this year. Between ViX, TUDN, and the new Amazon Prime deals, you practically need a spreadsheet to find where the game is playing.
- Watch the Sunday Night games: These have consistently been the highest-scoring matches of the 2026 season so far.
- Keep an eye on the "Cociente": Even though there's no "real" relegation, the fines are getting astronomical. Teams like Mazatlán are playing with a desperation that makes for great, if slightly ugly, football.
Get your remote ready for the Pachuca vs. América game tonight. If the Águilas lose again, the talk shows tomorrow are going to be absolutely wild. Enjoy the Sunday matches.
The road to the May 24 final is already looking like a rollercoaster.