Club América heads into Sunday’s clash with Necaxa in need of all three points — not because the Águilas are in a bad position in the Apertura 2026 standings or because their place in the playoff picture is immediately under threat, but because they need to put an end to a four-game winless streak and restore confidence among the players, the fans, and the coaching staff.
América currently sits fourth with 17 points, and a win over Necaxa, combined with the right results elsewhere, could even put them back on top of the table. But there is a warning sign here: if América fails to win again, especially against a Necaxa side sitting near the bottom of the standings, the Águilas could start dropping points against the teams they are expected to beat and find themselves fighting for positions between fifth and eighth.
Necaxa enters the match in 15th place with nine points. They remain well outside the playoff positions and are not mathematically eliminated, which, ironically, makes them a potentially dangerous opponent. A team with little to lose can be an annoying problem — and América has already learned that lesson this season.
Injuries & Absences
For Sunday’s game, Guillermo Almada will be without Brian Rodríguez and Óscar Perea, who are away with their respective national teams, Uruguay and Colombia. He will also be missing Israel Reyes and Isaías Violante, who are with the Mexican national team.
Those absences, along with Alan Cervantes, who withdrew from Mexico’s squad because of a foot injury, could open the door for players who have not seen much action this season.
Henry Martín, Alejandro Zendejas and possibly Spanish midfielder Carlos Álvarez are expected to lead América’s attack. The big question is whether Almada starts Henry Martín or Miguel Borja. The Colombian has scored three goals in his last two games for América, so leaving him on the bench would certainly give the conversation a little more spice.
There is also the possibility of seeing the debuts of Argentine defender Santiago Ramos Mingo and Uruguayan center-back Santiago Bueno. Both arrived midway through the season and are still waiting for their first minutes with the Águilas.
And América could certainly use them.
The two defenders arrived in Mexico with plenty of pedigree and are expected to strengthen an América defense that has struggled throughout the season. If the Águilas are going to seriously compete for the title, eventually they will have to stop making every game look like a group project in defensive chaos.
On the other side, Necaxa recently appointed Juan Reynoso as their new head coach. The Peruvian, who led Cruz Azul to the Liga MX title, lost his debut against Atlético de San Luis.
Now, in only his second game in charge, Reynoso will look to get his first victory and avoid starting his tenure with the Rayos already giving their supporters reasons to panic.
How to watch Necaxa vs América
| Country | TV / Online Streaming |
|---|---|
| United States | fuboTV, FOX |
What time is Necaxa vs América?
- City: Aguascalientes
- Stadium: Estadio Victoria
- Date: Sunday, September 27
- Time: 11:10 p.m. ET / 8:10 p.m. PT
Hooligan Prediction: Necaxa 1-2 América
Necaxa is one of the weaker teams in the tournament on paper, which makes this look like the kind of game América should win — although, considering their recent form, nothing with the Águilas is ever quite that simple.
Expect a tight game in Aguascalientes, but América should have enough quality to take all three points. They have the better squad, they are better positioned in the standings and Almada has had considerably more time to implement his ideas.
Necaxa, meanwhile, is still getting used to Juan Reynoso. The Peruvian has barely had time to unpack his suitcase before being asked to fix the team, so it remains unclear how quickly his players have adapted to what he wants.
For América, there really should be no excuses.
They are one of the contenders for the title, and games like this are exactly where they need to prove it. Four games without a win is already enough drama for one month.
Prediction: Necaxa 1-2 América.
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Alejandro Orellana is an accomplished sports journalist based in Mexico City, known for his incisive coverage of Club América and the Mexican National Team. A graduate of Journalism from Escuela de Periodismo Carlos Septien García, Alejandro brings a deep understanding of sports media to his work. His expertise extends to SEO and content creation, allowing him to produce engaging and discoverable sports narratives. He has contributed as a freelance writer for Goal.com, where he notably conducted interviews with MLS players, further showcasing his comprehensive interviewing skills. Prior to this, Alejandro dedicated five years to ESPN’s production department, contributing to renowned shows including SportsCenter, Futbol Picante, and NFL Live. His insightful articles can be found on platforms such as Deportrece and Hooligan Soccer. Connect with Alejandro on @soyalexorellana and Tik Tok to stay updated with his latest work. His commitment to journalistic integrity ensures every piece offers valuable and trustworthy insights for sports enthusiasts.
