On March 5, 2025, the fierce rivalry between Chivas Rayadas de Guadalajara and Club America will reach new heights as they face each other at Akron Stadium for the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16. This clash, often referred to as El Súper Clásico, is bound to attract significant attention from fans and sports analysts alike.
Chivas has been on form, recently securing their spot in the knockout round with a decisive 4-1 victory over Cibao last month. Meanwhile, Club America, entering the competition as the winners of the 2024 Liga MX, also came off impressive outings, having defeated Toluca 3-0 last week. With both sides showcasing strong performances leading up to this much-anticipated matchup, the stakes couldn't be higher.
Club America, led by Brazilian coach André Jardine, is set to make their presence felt, supported by passionate fans who gathered outside their hotel upon their arrival in Guadalajara. The team announced on social media, “America has landed in Guadalajara,” which underscored the excitement surrounding the upcoming game.
Historical rivalry features prominently as both teams gear up for what fans are dubbing the first chapter of this year's trilogy of matches—this time paired with the 2025 Clausura tournament. Historically, they have met 217 times with America having the upper hand with 81 victories compared to Chivas’ 67 wins and 69 draws. Form suggests Club America will come out firing, having been unbeaten against Chivas over their last four meetings.
Reflecting on the past, America striker Henry Martín, who could have joined Chivas back in 2022 but chose to remain with his current club, expressed his satisfaction with his decision. “Time always puts things in its place, today I live an incredible moment. A couple of years ago there was the possibility of coming here. Today my decision is right. I am very happy and very happy here,” he said, emphasizing the harmony within his team. He detailed the morale among players, highlighting how their daily commitment to training has paid off.
Martín went on to address the often-controversial celebrations after scoring goals against the Chivas, indicating they would continue, but with respect. "The celebrations are something lived on the court, scoring a goal is a lot of emotion and adrenaline. One makes mistakes, but respect is key. There will always be ‘festjeo,’ but never offend,” he insisted.
Past matches have often been decided by the smallest details, and this game is expected to be no different. Martín stressed, “This is a classic, and it will be defended by small details. We do not think about being left out; we think about leaving and winning the match. I think we prepare ourselves well and focus. None of the three matches will be the same,” reinforcing the unique pressure surrounding them.
The upcoming fixture marks Chivas’ attempt to reverse their fortunes at home, having struggled against America recently. The statistics show Chivas has not won against their visitors at home for seven straight meetings, failing to score in six of those encounters. With such trends at play, the psychological edge may lean toward the visiting side.
The pressure mounts as Chivas seeks to defend their home turf. They have shown promising form throughout 2025, being unbeaten with four wins at home, and they will need this momentum to capitalize against America’s attacking prowess.
America, on the other hand, is riding high, with two consecutive wins leading to five goals scored. Still, each side has its strengths and weaknesses, making predictions challenging. Early forecasts suggest close competition with stats leaning toward America getting the upper hand.
Chivas’ solid past performance, coupled with home advantage, will be put to the test. Bookmakers predict the match could favor America narrowly, explaining, “Prediction: Chivas 1-2 Club America.” The analytical outlook suggests ample action, with bets on over 2.5 goals becoming popular among enthusiasts.
One thing is for sure—the first leg of this CONCACAF Champions Cup round is already generating buzz, with players and fans eager for the drama and excitement it promises.