Chivas vs América: Lineups set for the Clásico Nacional
Chivas arrive at the Clásico Nacional unbeaten and atop the Clausura standings, while América looks to steady a shaky start to the campaign. The matchup is set for Saturday, February 14, 2026, with kickoff at 10: 07 p. m. ET at Estadio Akron. Below are the confirmed starters, a snapshot of the standings, and what to watch in a fixture that always carries extra weight.
Match outlook and standings
Chivas sit at the summit with a perfect record: five wins, 15 points, 10 goals scored and four conceded. Their momentum was reinforced with a 2-1 victory in their last league outing. América, by contrast, has struggled to find consistency and occupies eighth place with eight points from two wins, two draws and one loss. The visitors did notch a boost this week by advancing to the Champions Cup knockout phase after eliminating a regional rival.
The stakes are clear: a win would allow Chivas to consolidate their lead and send a strong message to the rest of the league, while América needs a positive result to climb the table and build confidence ahead of a congested schedule that includes continental competition.
Projected lineups for chivas vs america
Both managers have opted for established XI choices, emphasizing balance across midfield and attack.
Chivas (likely starters):
Raúl Rangel; Diego Campillo, José Castillo, Daniel Aguirre, Bryan González; Richard Ledezma, Omar Govea, Rubén González; Efraín Álvarez, Roberto Alvarado, Armando González.
América (likely starters):
Luis Malagón; Sebastián Cáceres, Israel Reyes, Cristian Borja, Kevin Álvarez; Rodrigo Dourado, Jonathan Dos Santos, Isaías Violante; Víctor Dávila, Brian Rodríguez, Henry Martín.
Key moments and what to watch
Early in the clash, Chivas fashioned an immediate chance when Armando González raced into the box but sent the shot over the crossbar — a reminder that sharp finishing will be decisive in a tight derby. That miss could prove costly if the game remains level, but it also underlines Chivas' intent to press high and look for quick transitions behind América's fullbacks.
Midfield will be the battleground. Chivas' pairing of Ledezma and Govea provides creativity and ball progression, while the visitors will rely on the experience and ball control of Rodrigo Dourado and Jonathan Dos Santos to slow the home side and feed the front line. Efraín Álvarez and Roberto Alvarado carry the creative burden for Chivas; their ability to combine and stretch América's defensive lines will determine how often the winger and No. 10 find clear shooting lanes.
In goal and at the back, Luis Malagón will be key for América — he must be alert to counterattacks and crosses into the box. For Chivas, the defensive quartet will need to manage aerial threats and limit service to Henry Martín and Brian Rodríguez, two forwards capable of punishing even small mistakes.
Beyond tactics, the psychological edge matters. Chivas' unbeaten run brings confidence, but derby atmospheres can level form books. América's recent struggles add pressure, yet a continental push can also galvanize a squad. Whoever controls momentum in the first 20 minutes is likely to shape the rest of the match.
Expect intensity, tactical adjustments from both benches, and a match where set pieces or a single lapse could decide the outcome. For fans keeping score in the Clausura race, this edition of the Clásico Nacional is more than pride — it will have immediate implications for title aspirations and midseason momentum.
