Zacatecas is a place where people know the value of hard work. It’s a mining town, after all. That same "grind" is exactly what we’re seeing on the pitch at the Estadio Carlos Vega Villalba lately. If you’ve been keeping an eye on the Mineros de Zacatecas standings, you know things are getting spicy in the Liga de Expansión MX.
We aren't just talking about a mid-table team anymore. Honestly, as of mid-January 2026, Mineros has been hovering right near the top of the pack in the Clausura 2026. After a 4-1 demolition of Tlaxcala FC on January 9, the vibes in the locker room seem through the roof. But then soccer happens—you go from a high to a 2-1 loss against Dorados de Sinaloa just a week later. That's the beauty and the absolute frustration of this league.
Where Mineros de Zacatecas Standings Sit Right Now
The table is a mess of points right now. It’s tight. Basically, one weekend you’re looking like a title contender, and the next, you’re looking over your shoulder at the play-in spots.
Currently, Mineros has played 14 games in the broader season context, racking up around 21 points with a record that reflects a lot of "almosts"—specifically 5 wins, 6 draws, and 3 losses. They’ve scored 26 goals but let in 24. That goal difference of +2 tells a story. They can score, but man, they make it stressful for the fans in the final fifteen minutes.
✨ Don't miss: Finding the Best Texas Longhorns iPhone Wallpaper Without the Low-Res Junk
It’s not just about the numbers. It’s about the momentum. Standing at 5th place globally in the recent tally, they are trailing behind the big hitters like Atlante and Cancún FC. But here’s the thing: they’ve shown they can hang with anyone.
The Performance Breakdown
To understand the Mineros de Zacatecas standings, you have to look at the home versus away split.
- At Home: They are formidable. The altitude and the local support make the Carlos Vega Villalba a fortress. They've averaged about 1.43 points per game at home.
- On the Road: This is where the wheels usually get a bit wobbly, yet they’ve actually managed a decent 1.57 points per game away recently. That’s unusual for them. Usually, they're "home birds," but this 2025-2026 cycle shows a bit more grit on the bus rides.
The Faces Behind the Numbers
You can’t talk about standings without talking about Mauro Pérez. The guy is a machine. With 8 goals already this season, he’s the primary reason they aren’t sitting 10th. He has this knack for being in the right place when a cross is just slightly over-hit.
🔗 Read more: Why Isn't Mbappe Playing Today: The Real Madrid Crisis Explained
Then you have Pablo Padilla and Luis Razo. Padilla has chipped in with 6 goals from a more defensive/midfield hybrid role, which is wild if you think about it. And we can't ignore the veteran presence of Andrés Mendoza in the defensive midfield. At 30, he’s the "old man" of a squad that averages about 25 years old. He keeps the shape when the younger guys decide to go on a "hero run" and leave the backline exposed.
Recent Match Impact
The 4-1 win against Tlaxcala was a statement. Goal scorers like Jesús López and José Ávila showed that the team isn't just a one-man show. But the 2-1 loss to Dorados on January 16 was a reality check. It proves that in this league, if you switch off for ten minutes, the bottom-dwellers will bite you.
Why the Playoffs Look Likely
Most experts looking at the current trajectory believe Mineros is a lock for the "Liguilla." They have the depth. When you look at their bench, they have guys like Sergio de los Ríos who can come on and actually change the tempo. That’s a luxury most Expansion teams don’t have.
💡 You might also like: Tottenham vs FC Barcelona: Why This Matchup Still Matters in 2026
The defense is the only "kinda" worrying part. Leonardo Durán in goal has been solid, but the backline has a tendency to get caught on the counter-attack. If they want to climb from 5th to the top 3, they have to stop the "silly" goals. You know the ones—the defensive lapses on set pieces that drive managers crazy.
Key Factors for the Rest of the Season
- Consistency in the Midfield: Mendoza and Ávila need to control the tempo.
- Pérez’s Health: If Mauro Pérez goes down, who scores the goals? That’s a scary thought for Zacatecas.
- Discipline: They’ve picked up a fair share of yellow cards. Keeping 11 men on the pitch is sort of a prerequisite for winning, obviously.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you are following the Mineros de Zacatecas standings for betting or just pure fandom, keep an eye on the next few fixtures against Atlético La Paz and Oaxaca. These are "must-win" games if they want to secure a top-four seed and avoid the headache of the play-in round.
Watch the first 15 minutes of their matches. Mineros tends to start fast. If they don't score early, they sometimes get frustrated and start forcing passes that aren't there. If you're looking for a breakout star, keep an eye on Anderson Villacorta. At only 20 years old, the kid plays with a level of composure that makes him look like he’s been in the league for a decade.
The road ahead isn't easy, but for the first time in a few years, it feels like the team has the "stuff" to actually go all the way. They just need to keep their heads down and keep mining for those three-point results.