There is no moment of rest in Colombian football this week, as the
eighteen participating teams are set to appear in the fourth match
round of the 2009 Copa Mustang I.
Junior Barranquilla hope to defend their lead, and remain unbeaten, when they travel to face Once Caldas in Manizales. Junior aren’t known for their particularly good results away from home though, and actually lost 2-1 to Once Caldas in July last year.
América dropped their first points in midweek and hope to get things right back on track at Deportivo Pasto. Pasto haven’t done that bad themselves this season though, with five points from three games, and held América to a goalless draw in November last year.
Independiente Medellín impressed in the Copa Libertadores this week but things aren’t really going as they hoped at the domestic level. Boyacá Chicó have made a much better start and have a decent chance of beating DIM in Tunja. The last four meetings ended undecided.
Santa Fé have been doing well at home so far, and may add another three points to their account when they host Envigado in Bogotá. Envigado are still without a win but might just be able to surprise. After all, the last two clashes with Santa Fé ended without a winner.
Deportivo Cali lost to Pereira earlier this week and hope to recover from that set-back when they host La Equidad on Sunday. But of the four previous meetings, La Equidad won two and one ended in a draw. Nevertheless, Cali’s home advantage might well make the difference in this game.
Deportes Tolima easily beat Millonarios on Wednesday and face their next challenge away to Cúcuta Deportivo. Tolima were the better side in recent games, but since they play away from home, a draw would be the most likely result.
Following two positive results, a win over Envigado and a draw with the reserves of Medellín, Real Cartagena hope to impress again when they host Deportivo Pereira at the coast. Bookmakers seem to favor Cartagena, although the two teams drew in their three previous direct encounters.
Millonarios are in big trouble, having earned only one point from their first three games. Atlético Huila could well make things worse. Based on recent clashes between these two sides, Millonarios are the slightly better side but haven’t been able to impress much in the city of Neiva.
Atlético Nacional are in 18th and last place, something they certainly didn’t expect ahead of this season. But there is hope, as Sunday’s opponents Deportes Quindío haven’t done that much better. Nacional beat Quindío in their last three encounters, most recently an easy 0-3 win in October.