Apertura 2023 playoffs: qualified and eliminated teams after matchday 16

With one matchday left to play in the Apertura 2023 regular season, the Liga MX playoff picture remains only half clear. Four out of the six automatic qualifiers for the quarter-finals have been confirmed, but the line-up for the four-team play-in round is still completely up in the air.

How does Apertura 2023 playoff qualification work?

In an amended format brought in for the Apertura 2023 tournament, the top six teams in the regular-season standings qualify automatically for the playoffs proper; previously, only four teams were guaranteed a quarter-final place. Meanwhile, the number of clubs that qualify for the playoffs’ preliminary stage has been halved from eight: as of the present campaign, only the sides finishing seventh to 10th will battle it out for the final quarter-final spots.

Who has definitely qualified for the quarter-finals?

Club América have been assured of their ticket to the quarters since their 3-0 win over Monterrey on matchday 14 at the end of October. Las Águilas are also certain to finish top of the regular-season standings - and have the chance to rack up an unprecedented points total. With 39 points to their name at the moment, victory on matchday 17 will see América surpass the current points record for a 17-game regular season, which stands at 41.

Three teams joined América in the quarter-finals at the weekend. Chivas Guadalajara, Monterrey and defending champions Tigres all made sure of a top-six regular-season finish with a Game to spare.

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Who else is in the quarter-finals as things stand?

Pumas’ 3-0 win over Atlas on Sunday took Antonio Mohamed’s men up to fifth, leaving Los Universitarios well placed to reach the playoff quarter-finals for the first time since the Apertura 2021 tournament. At the very least, Pumas are now certain of a top-10 finish, as are Atlético San Luis, who presently sit in the final last-eight qualification berth.

San Luis are currently ahead of Tijuana on goal difference. Along with Tijuana, Toluca, Club León and Santos Laguna are also still within reach of the top six - particularly Santos, who have a game in hand.

Who is in the play-in as things stand?

Right now, the four teams in the play-in positions are Tijuana, Toluca, León and Santos Laguna. Like Pumas and San Luis, Tijuana can no longer drop below 10th - unless Los Xolos’ points tally is reduced by three by Mexico’s Administrative Court for Sport this week (see below). Mazatlán, Pachuca and Puebla - who would be the team to receive Tijuana’s three points - are all just a single point off 10th place, with Juárez, Querétaro and Cruz Azul further back but not yet mathematically out of contention.

Which teams have been eliminated?

Only two sides are definitely unable to qualify for the postseason. Bottom team Necaxa were eliminated after losing to Monterrey on matchday 15, while Atlas - who were back-to-back Mexican champions as recently as the Clausura 2022 - bowed out after defeat to Pumas at the weekend.

Apertura 2023 standings ahead of matchday 17:

Puebla, Tijuana points could change

It should be noted that Tijuana and Puebla’s points totals have an asterisk against them, pending the Administrative Court for Sport’s decision on the outcome of the teams’ matchday-seven game. Despite Puebla beating Tijuana 3-0 at the start of September, the latter were awarded the points after La Franja were deemed to have included an ineligible player among their substitutes. Puebla have appealed the punishment, however, with a final ruling due in the coming days.

When does the Apertura 2023 regular season finish?

Monterrey host Santos Laguna in a rescheduled matchday-10 clash on Wednesday 8 November. Following that midweek game, the Apertura 2023 regular season comes to a close when matchday 17 is played on Friday 10, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 November.

Apertura 2023 matchday 17 fixture schedule in full: