A classic weekend in Colombia’s soccer Primera A gets underway on Friday with Millonarios looking to strengthen their place at the top with a victory over fierce rivals Santa Fe.
The Bogota clubs meet on Saturday with Millonarios sitting at the top of the standings despite their first loss of the Postobon II-2012 in week 8.
The hosts Santa Fe have endured less prosperous results this season and sit in 11th position, six points behind Millonarios.
However, the reigning champions have enjoyed an upturn in results of late and have won two out of their last three games.
Santa Fe goalkeeper Camilo Vargas said his side is only thinking about their strengths rather than looking at the opposition team going into their 269th classic.
Millonarios “is a team that has established itself as a group that has been strengthened in defense and remain a dangerous team in attack. But we are only concerned to improve our strengths without thinking of our rival,” said Vargas.
Millonarios defeat last weekend means that Junior remain the only team in the league with an unbeaten record, and they will be confident of maintaining this when they travel to bottomofthetable Real Cartagena on Sunday.
Junior required a lastgasp equalizer in week 8 to snatch a point at Boyaca Chico and remain in second place.
Elsewhere in Colombia’s second largest city Medellin will host the classic between Independiente Medellin and Atletico Nacional.
The two sides have endured fiery encounters in the past, including the last time they met when three players were dismissed in a 3-0 Nacional victory.
Independiente still lie ahead of their city rivals though and a victory on Saturday would further strengthen their position in the top eight.
In other key clashes Cucuta Deportivo go in search of their third victory on the trot when they take on La Equidad on Sunday, while Itagui take on Envigado in the last fixture of the weekend.