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Liga MX Preview: Leon eye back-to-back titles

Gustavo Matosas' Leon will go head-to-head with Pachuca at the Estadio Leon on Thursday, having already won the Apertura title in November.

Leon finished third during the Apertura regular season before routing America 5-1 over two legs in the decider.

Carlos Pena, who was selected in Mexico's 23-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, was the hero for Leon in the second leg, putting the tie beyond doubt with his first goal in six games.

But Enrique Meza's team conceded three goals in the second half to fall 4-2 behind, though they still triumphed on away goals as the two-legged clash finished 4-4 on aggregate.

Central to Pachuca's plans will be Clausura top-scorer Enner Valencia, who has netted 12 goals this season, three more than his nearest rival Martin Bravo.

Thursday's opening leg is not the first time the two sides will have met this season, after Pachuca easily disposed of Leon 3-1 in January.