Sometimes big sporting moments are just pre-destined.

The Chicago Cubs’ World Series victory last year, for example.

Will 2017 be the year that fortune favors the Guadalajara Chivas – Mexico’s most popular soccer team?

Having already won this year’s Copa Mx tournament, the Chivas are gunning for a fantastic double, with the Liga Mx in their sights.

Bars in Guadalajara were packed Thursday as Chivas visited Monterrey to take on Tigres in the first leg of the Liga Mx final.

In a dramatic game, the Chivas came away with a respectable 2-2 tie – giving them the slight upper hand in
Sunday’s return game at the Omnilife Stadium in Zapopan.

Tigres, the reigning champions, were stunned by two first half goals  from Alan Pulido and Rodolfo Pizarro.  Chivas held on for most of a second-half onslaught  but finally succumbed to two Tigres goals in the final five minutes from their French superstar André-Pierre Gignac.

Tigres’ late comeback will be a disappointment for Chivas’ young coach Matías Almeyda, who will need to raise the spirits of his players if Chivas are to be crowned champions in the Omnilife Stadium for the first time on Sunday.  This would be their first title since 2006.

Tickets for Sunday’s game sold out within hours this week, with some fans camping out all night to guarantee they wouldn’t miss out. 

Expect many households in Guadalajara to host parties for Sunday’s game, which kicks off at 6 p.m.  Unfortunately, it won’t be broadcast on free-to-air television, but only on Televisa’s TDN channel, which is carried by most cable providers, including Sky, Megacable and Telecable. 

A mammoth celebration can be expected Sunday evening at Guadalajara’s Minerva Glorieta Sunday evening should Chivas win the title.