Club América, a titan of Mexican soccer, will travel to Estadio Jalisco to face a struggling Atlas FC on Sunday, August 24, in a crucial Liga MX fixture. Despite their lofty standards and a historic three-peat championship victory in December 2024, Club América has faced scrutiny over a perceived slump in the current Apertura season, making this match a critical opportunity to reassert their dominance.
Managed by Andre Jardine, Club América sits fourth in the league table, just one point shy of the top spot. However, the club’s high expectations mean their performance has been viewed as underwhelming, compounded by an early exit from the Leagues Cup group stage. The primary concern has been a lackluster attack that has managed to score only nine goals in 11 league matches, averaging a mere 0.8 goals per game. Key offensive players, including American winger Alex Zendejas, have been unable to find consistent form. Zendejas, who has 43 goals in 163 appearances for the club, has not scored since the season’s opening matchday, according to a report from CBS Sports. The pressure is mounting on the team to find its offensive rhythm, and a change in management could be considered if results don’t improve.
For Atlas FC, this match presents a chance to capitalize on their opponent’s offensive woes, but they must first address their own significant defensive frailties. The Guadalajara-based club has been defensively porous, having conceded three or more goals in four consecutive games leading up to this encounter. This defensive vulnerability could be the perfect antidote for América’s struggling forwards. Atlas began their 2025-26 Liga MX Apertura campaign on July 12 with a 1-1 halftime draw against Club Puebla, a match where they took an early lead through Gaddi Aguirre before conceding just five minutes later, as reported by Digital Trends Today.
Atlas’s recent tournament form has also been a cause for concern. The team was eliminated early from the 2025 Leagues Cup, a competition that saw them fall 2-1 to an Inter Miami CF side led by Lionel Messi. The club, which finished the previous season in 14th place, has also been hampered by injuries to key players such as Edgar Zaldivar, Mauro Manotas, and Jordy Caicedo, forcing manager Gonzalo Pineda to adjust his tactical approach.
The upcoming clash is scheduled for a 9:05 p.m. start time. Betting odds reflect Club América’s status as favorites, listed at -145, while Atlas is the underdog at +380, with a draw at +270. Historically, Club América has had the upper hand in recent memory, securing a 2-0 victory in a February 2021 meeting, according to match data from ESPN. For América, the game is a prime opportunity to silence critics and reignite their potent attack against one of the league’s leakiest defenses. For Atlas, a victory at home against the reigning champions would be a massive confidence boost and could set a positive tone for the remainder of their Apertura campaign.
