Days after achieving international success, Santa Fe continue the defense of their Liga Postobon lead in a home match with local rivals La Equidad.
But the action started on Saturday when second-placed Deportes Tolima get a chance to take the lead – at least for a day, in an away match to fourth-placed Atletico Huila.
Huila’s week has not been the best with two defeats at La Equidad in the space of four days, leaving them trailing in the league and eliminated from the Copa Postobon. Tolima were knocked out of the Cup tournament as well, surprisingly losing to Itagüi, but are on a winning streak in the league with three victories in a row.
Later on Saturday, eighth-placed Once Caldas defend their spot at home against Atletico Nacional. The visiting side from Medellin are stuck in 13th place but only played three games so far, while many other teams played twice as many. A win in Manizales would certainly leave Nacional close to the top eight.
In other games on the round’s opening day, America de Cali host Deportivo Pereira while Independiente Medellin receive Real Cartagena.
On Sunday, Santa Fe receive La Equidad just three days after beating Venezuelan side Deportivo Lara in the Copa Sudamericana. Santa Fe are currently two points ahead of nearest rivals Tolima while La Equidad are in fifth place after a number of positive results. Of the 15 games these two teams have played in the past, both won six. The other three ended undecided. As such, it promises to be a close battle at El Campin stadium.
Cucuta Deportivo, who dropped from second to third place last week, hope to get back on the winning track in a home match with Deportivo Cali. The visiting side are in 14th place at the moment with just two wins in six games, and are desperate to get a victory near the Venezuelan coast.
Junior of Barranquilla are similarly troubled with just one win in five matches. On Sunday, the defending champions play a home match against sixth-placed Quindio in an attempt to end their winless streak of four games.
In the day’s other match, Cortulua host Envigado in a match that will feature the two lowest-ranked teams of the Colombian league.
Full schedule:
Saturday, August 29
3:30 Huila – Tolima
6:00 America – Pereira
6:20 Once Caldas – Nacional
8:30 Medellin – Cartagena
Sunday, August 30
3:30 Cortulua – Envigado
3:30 Santa Fe – La Equidad
3:30 Junior – Quindio
5:45 Cucuta – Cali