The battle in the Colombian Liga Postobon is beginning to heat up as several teams are trying to force their way into the top eight. Round 12, to be played this weekend, offers new chances.
Bogota outfit Santa Fe defend their top spot in a home match with Deportivo Cali on Saturday. It is the second time the two teams meet this week, after Cali earned a 3-1 win in the Copa Postobon to advance to the semi finals of that tournament. In the league, Santa Fe do have good memories from their last two encounters with Cali, winning both.
Third-placed Atletico Nacional travel to face America de Cali, three days after beating city rivals Medellin 1-2. This result should give Nacional renewed confidence ahead of the coming match, but America have their own reason to do well as the ‘Red Devils’ are currently in ninth place, just three points away from the top eight.
In Saturday’s remaining game, Once Caldas and Cucuta Deportivo will both try to defend their spot in the bottom regions of the top eight.
On Sunday, current numbers two Deportes Tolima travel to the coast to face Real Cartagena. Tolima have won all of the last three encounters with Cartagena, but will need to bounce back from a disappointing trip to Argentina where the Ibague outfit lost 2-0 to Banfield in the Copa Sudamericana.
Another top clash has Atletico Huila (fifth) host Deportes Quindio (fourth) in Neiva. Both sides will know that a win could well turn out to be a big step in the direction of the second round.
La Equidad, who are currently in sixth place, play away to Envigado, who have not been beaten in the last three games.
Sunday’s other matches have Independiente Medellin host Deportivo Pereira, defending champions Junior visit Boyaca Chico and Millonarios play away to Cortulua.
Full schedule:
Saturday, October 2
4:00 Santa Fe – Cali
6:20 America – Nacional
8:30 Once Caldas – Cucuta
Sunday, October 3
3:30 Medellin – Pereira
3:30 Envigado – La Equidad
3:30 Cartagena – Tolima
3:30 Huila – Quindio
3:30 Boyaca Chico – Junior
5:20 Cortulua – Millonarios