Toluca - Tijuana: Toluca host Xolos at Nemesio Díez aiming to snap winless run
The Infierno lights up on Friday, February 13, 2026 (ET) for Toluca vs Tijuana in Matchday 6 of the Clausura. The hosts arrive buoyed by a 1-0 victory over Cruz Azul but must navigate several absences, while the border side comes in with a string of draws and a defence that has been hard to break down.
Form and context ahead of the clash
Toluca took a confidence-boosting 1-0 win in their last outing, a result that halted a small run of poor outcomes and lifted spirits around the squad. Still, the club has only found the net sparingly in recent matches and will be looking to rediscover a sharper edge in attack. Tijuana remain unbeaten in the competition but have accumulated multiple draws, a pattern that leaves them steady at the back but lacking in cutting finishing in the final third.
Lineup concerns for the hosts
Injury doubts cloud Toluca's selection. Alexis Vega is listed with physical discomfort and is unlikely to be fully fit for this fixture. Nico Castro is out after sustaining an injury in the previous match, while other attacking options such as Helinho are also unavailable. That forces Toluca's coaching staff to lean on players like Córdova, Angulo and Marcel to generate creativity and service the side's primary striker, Paulinho, who depends on quality supply into the box.
How the visitors will approach the game
Tijuana's setup has emphasized defensive organisation and compactness. The visitors are expected to crowd the midfield to stifle Toluca's playmakers, rely on direct transitions and seek chances from set pieces and counters. Their current run of draws suggests the squad is difficult to break down but still searching for a consistent attacking spark to turn stalemates into victories.
Keys to victory
For Toluca: control the middle of the park and feed Paulinho early and often. If the fullbacks can provide width and deliver accurate crosses, it will create the best path to unlock Tijuana's low block. Creative contributions from Córdova and Angulo are critical given the absences ahead of them.
For Tijuana: maintain defensive discipline and exploit set-piece opportunities. Keeping the ball away from Toluca's forwards and turning turnovers into quick, vertical attacks increases the visitors' chance of snatching a positive result. Clinical finishing on the chances that do arise will be decisive.
Broadcast notes and kickoff
The match kicks off on Friday, February 13, 2026 (ET) at Estadio Nemesio Díez. Viewers in Mexico should find the game available through both free-to-air and pay-television options, while international fans can access the fixture through official streaming services where regional rights permit. Radio coverage and live text updates will also be offered in many territories for supporters who prefer alternate formats.
What’s at stake
Toluca aim to convert recent momentum into a sustained run of positive results and to demonstrate resilience despite rotation and injuries. Tijuana want to break the cycle of draws and show that their defensive foundations can be the platform for more productive attacking displays. The match promises a tactical battle: a home side seeking rhythm against a visitor who prides itself on organisation and grit.
