The pick of this week’s Liga Postobon action is the clash between mid-season contenders Atletico Huila and La Equidad, with a host of other promising games also in store.
Reigning champions Junior host current frontrunners Deportes Tolima and Wednesday will see Atletico Nacional’s recent upturn put to the test, away to in-form Santa Fe.
Bogota’s Santa Fe have not lost since February and four wins in five has seen them surge to second in the table. The recent winning streak began when they overcame larger city rivals Millonarios 4 – 3 in a gripping Bogota clasico, which Santa Fe led 4-0 after 53 minutes. Recently they dispatched then league leaders Huila 4 – 0. Though Santa Fe may be the Liga Postobon form team, the eyes of the nation have been on Medellin’s Nacional, who recently managed to qualify for the knock-out stage of the Copa Libertadores. Nacional also last week managed to reverse a two-game losing streak against city rival Independiente Medellin, winning 2 – 1 in the Copa Colombia. With the league a tight affair, a strong run could throw Nacional right back in to contention.
Either Huila or La Equidad could claim top spot on Friday evening, with the third and fourth-placed sides only seperated by goal difference. Huila have lost their last two league games but have strong home form.
Tolima are still two points ahead of second place despite only winning one of their last five matches. They face last season’s champions Junior de Barranquilla (8th) in what promises to be a heated affair in the Caribbean coastal city this Saturday evening. Junior have won four of their last five outings and are witnessing somewhat a resurgence after their less than spectacular start to the season.
For a full fixture list and league table, see the figure (right).