After Sebastian Palacios' 'poker', Pachuca hopes the good form can continue against a Santos team already qualified for the Liguilla
Pachuca and Santos Laguna aren't all that different as clubs.
Both based a considerable distance outside Mexico's biggest metropolitan areas, the clubs have bought in on a strategy that involves developing young players in the academy and giving those players early opportunities with a view toward turning a profit to fund the organization.
It results in periods of success and times of rebuilding.
This year, Santos is cruising with its playoff ticket already punched while Pachuca sits in the eighth and final place knowing it has plenty of work to do starting with Saturday's contest.