Tijuana faces Juárez in Liga MX Play-In showdown at Estadio Caliente tonight

Club Tijuana faces FC Juárez tonight in a high-stakes Liga MX Apertura 2025 playoff showdown. The match kicks off at 11 PM ET on Nov. 20, 2025 at Estadio Caliente. The winner advances as the 7th seed in the official playoffs. Both teams are fighting for survival in this single-elimination battle.

Battle for the Final Playoff Spot

The Liga MX Apertura 2025 regular season just wrapped up. Toluca claimed the top spot. Tigres, Cruz Azul, América, Monterrey, and Guadalajara secured the top six. Now the drama unfolds.

Tijuana and Juárez sit tied at 17 points each. Both finished on the playoff bubble. The loser gets eliminated entirely. The winner expects to face defending champion Toluca or second-seeded Tigres in the quarterfinals.

Tonight’s match delivers pure playoff intensity. These two border rivals know exactly what’s at stake. Home-field advantage matters. Estadio Caliente should rock with passionate fans. Tijuana enters as a slight favorite thanks to playing at home.

Head-to-Head History Favors Xolos

Tijuana dominates the all-time series against Juárez. In 17 total meetings, the Xolos secured 7 victories. Juárez has managed 5 wins. 5 matches ended in draws. This gives Tijuana confidence tonight.

Both squads finished the regular season with identical point totals. That’s rare in Liga MX. It shows how competitive the league remains. Every goal matters. Every defensive mistake could prove fatal. The difference between playoff glory and early elimination comes down to ninety minutes.

Recent form offers clues about who might prevail. Tijuana beat Atlas 2-0 in their final group match. That momentum shift could carry them forward. Juárez enters hungry to prove their worth at this critical juncture.

Match Details and Broadcast Information

Match Detail	Information
Teams	Club Tijuana vs FC Juárez
Date & Time	Nov. 20, 2025 at 11:00 PM ET (03:00 UTC Nov. 21)
Venue	Estadio Caliente, Tijuana, Mexico
Capacity	27,333 fans
Format	Liga MX Apertura 2025 Play-In (Elimination)
TV Channels	FOX One, Caliente TV, Fox Sports, ViX streaming
Playoff Implications	Winner gets 7th playoff seed, loser is eliminated

The match carries enormous pressure for both clubs. Neither Tijuana nor Juárez can afford mistakes. One tactical error could spell doom. Both teams rely on quality finishing and defensive discipline.

What to Expect Tonight

• Intense opening minutes as both teams probe for early advantages
• Physical midfield battles to control possession and tempo
• Quick counterattack opportunities exploiting spaces left behind
• Home-field advantage for Tijuana with passionate crowd support
• Possible extra time and penalty kicks if regulation ends scoreless

The Liga MX Play-In runs through Nov. 23. All four play-in matchups determine the final four playoff slots. Top-six teams already secured direct entry. The next round begins once all play-in matches conclude.

Can Tijuana Make the Leap?

Club Tijuana wants to prove they belong in the Liguilla. Home advantage at Estadio Caliente provides real tactical benefit. Familiar surroundings breed confidence. The fans will be electric.

Yet Juárez remains dangerous. The Bravos won’t back down easily. They know their season ends tonight either way. That creates desperation. Desperate teams sometimes play their best soccer.

Will Tijuana‘s 2-0 victory over Atlas propel them forward? Or will Juárez upset the slight favorites? The answer arrives in a few hours.

Sources

• Goal.com – Liga MX Apertura 2025 Play-In Preview
• Sports Illustrated – Liga MX Apertura 2025 Playoffs Schedule
• Fox Sports – 2025 Liga MX Standings