The rematch of June's wild 5-5 track meet returns with both teams stuck in place: Blanco can't close, Negro can't stop the bleeding. Blanco sit second on 5 points yet haven't won since opening night, just blowing a 2-0 lead to draw Verde. Opposite stand the reeling defending champions Negro — dead last on a single point, a competition-worst minus-15, freshly shut out 5-0. Last time, Alonso Carriles buried a hat trick and Joe Wlodarczyk tied it with one second left.

Blanco are the rebuild that stalled — deep and balanced up front, led by captain Fermin Javier, the all-time goals king with 53 and second in career points, riding a six-game goal streak. Andrés Mata, fifth all-time and a two-time champion, carries a career-best seven-game point streak, and Toño Zamora is the only three-time first-overall pick in Sunday Night history, a Mejor Defensa. Negro stay dangerous: captain Weebo Gómez, fourth all-time; Alonso Carriles, fourth in career goals with a hat trick already this season; three-time champion Jeremie Joulliard on the blue line; and 14-year-old Claudio Espinosa.

Reigning Mejor Portero Mateo Guzmán, owner of the best career goals-against average in Sunday Night, faces Negro's shelled crease. With Negro carrying the worst penalty kill in Sunday Night at 57%, Blanco's stone-cold power play may finally wake up — if they can protect a lead. Both need it badly; only one leaves unstuck.