The Colombian Copa Mustang enters its fifth round this weekend, with
Boyacá Chicó hoping to defend their lead while La Equidad try to remain
near the top.
The action actually already started on Friday, with Deportes Quindío beating Once Caldas 2-1. Aguilar and Rodas scored for the home side, while Viafára netted the only goal for Once.
Boyacá Chicó face a difficult task at Pereira, but do have very good memories from previous clashes with Rene Higuita’s former team. The Tunja outfit won the last five direct encounters, with a total goal count of 11 versus 1.
La Equidad host newly promoted Real Cartagena, who have done pretty well themselves and are currently in fifth place. However, the previous two meetings between these two sides were both won by La Equidad.
An interesting clash should be the one between third-placed Junior and fourth-placed Pasto. Odds are certainly in favor of Junior, who have proven to be a tough side at home. In recent years, Pasto haven’t been able to win in Barranquilla.
This week’s classic is the Cali derby between América and Deportivo, with odds in favor of former leaders América. The arch rivals met no less than ten times last year, in three different competitions. Cali won five of these meetings, América four, but the Red Devils dominated in the most recent clashes.
Independiente Medellín had only a few days to recover from their Libertadores match with Defensor, and now host Santa Fé in an attempt to kick-start their disappointing domestic season. The last match between these two teams, played in Bogotá, ended in a 1-0 win to Santa Fé.
The remaining Bogotá side, Millonarios, have had a rather disastrous season start and hope to make up for it when they host Cúcuta Deportivo in the capital city. In August last year, Millonarios beat the Santander outfit 3-0.
Atlético Huila are only just behind the top eight, but hope to move up when they host Envigado on Sunday. Odds are in home team Envigado’s favor however, as matches between these two sides are usually won by the hosts.
After losing their first four games of the season, Atlético Nacional should be desperate for a better result at Deportes Tolima. But the Medellín outfit will remember last year’s game in Ibagué, where Tolima scored late to earn a 2-1 victory.