With half of the matches played in the current Copa Mustang II regular season, leaders Independiente Medellin continue their league campaign hosting La Equidad while second-placed Santa Fe receive Atletico Junior.
The opening match of the round has Atletico Huila host Deportivo Pereira on Saturday. Huila are currently in third position but aren’t in the best of forms. This may be something Pereira could take advantage of, as they have been doing quite well themselves. Only two months ago, Pereira beat Huila 4-1 in a Copa Colombia meeting.
Later on Saturday, Santa Fe host Junior at El Campin in an attempt to beat the Barranquilla outfit for the first time since 2006. Junior beat Santa Fe on the last four occasions, but Santa Fe have been in great shape and won’t be easy to beat this time around.
Title defenders Once Caldas host Atletico Nacional in Saturday’s last game. Once Caldas seem to have lost all motivation after winning the Copa Mustang I, and are now to be found in penultimate position. Nacional are sixth and appear to be on course for a spot in the group phase. Nacional haven’t won in Manizales since 2005.
Independiente Medellin receive La Equidad at Atanasio Girardot stadium on Sunday, as they aim to build on the confidence gained from last week’s 3-1 win over arch rivals Nacional. La Equidad aren’t in very good shape at the moment, and haven’t actually won a league match since July. As such, La Equidad are no longer in the top eight and will need to improve right away to keep a chance of featuring in the next round.
Fifth-placed Deportivo Pasto host Cucuta Deportivo, who are currently in 15th position and need a victory to keep hope of qualification for the group phase. Pasto are in pretty good shape, but know that Cucuta will be a hard side to beat. The last seven matches between these two teams, ended in wins to the home side.
Seventh-placed Deportivo Cali aim to apply new pressure on the top six, hosting Millonarios at Pascual Guerrero stadium. Millonarios on the other hand, need a win to remain near the top eight of the league. The Bogota side beat Deportivo 1-0 in the capital city five months ago, but haven’t won in Cali since 2006.
In other games on Sunday, Boyaca Chico host Deportes Quindio, Deportes Tolima visit Real Cartagena and America de Cali travel to face Envigado.