The CONCACAF Champions League Final is set to take place on Tuesday, December 22nd, with the first leg featuring Mexican side Leon and American club LAFC. The match will be played at the Estadio Leon in Mexico, and it promises to be an exciting encounter between two talented teams.
Leon comes into the match as the reigning Liga MX champions, having won the title in the recently concluded Apertura 2020 season. They have been in fine form in the Champions League as well, winning all six of their group stage matches and then defeating Honduran side Club Olimpia and Costa Rican outfit Deportivo Saprissa in the knockout rounds.
LAFC, on the other hand, finished third in the Western Conference of the 2020 MLS season. They have also been impressive in the Champions League, winning four of their six group stage matches and then defeating Mexican sides Club America and Cruz Azul in the knockout rounds.
The two teams have never faced each other before, which adds an extra layer of intrigue to the match. Both teams play an attacking brand of football and are capable of scoring goals in bunches.
Leon will be relying on their star striker Emmanuel Gigliotti to lead the line. The Argentine has been in fine form this season, scoring 12 goals in 20 appearances across all competitions. He will be supported by the likes of Jean Meneses and Luis Montes, who have also been key players for Leon this season.
LAFC, on the other hand, will be looking to their talisman Carlos Vela to provide the goals. The Mexican international missed most of the MLS season due to injury but has been in fine form in the Champions League, scoring four goals in six appearances. He will be supported by Diego Rossi and Brian Rodriguez, who have also been key players for LAFC this season.
In terms of odds, Leon is currently the favorite to win the match, with odds of 2.10 to win. LAFC is the underdog, with odds of 3.30 to win. A draw is also a possibility, with odds of 3.50.
As for the predicted lineups, Leon is expected to line up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Rodolfo Cota in goal, William Tesillo and Andres Mosquera in central defense, and Fernando Navarro and Osvaldo Rodriguez as the full-backs. Luis Montes and Ivan Rodriguez will play in central midfield, with Jean Meneses and Angel Mena on the wings. Emmanuel Gigliotti and Victor Davila will lead the attack.
LAFC is expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Kenneth Vermeer in goal, Eddie Segura and Jesus Murillo in central defense, and Diego Palacios and Tristan Blackmon as the full-backs. Eduard Atuesta, Mark-Anthony Kaye, and Latif Blessing will play in central midfield, with Diego Rossi, Carlos Vela, and Brian Rodriguez leading the attack.
Overall, this promises to be an exciting match between two talented teams. Leon will be looking to take advantage of their home ground and secure a first-leg advantage, while LAFC will be hoping to cause an upset and take a positive result back to the United States for the second leg. Fans can expect an entertaining encounter with plenty of goals and drama.
