Four major classics await this weekend, with Bogotá, Cali, Medellín and the coast preparing for serious rivalry and passion.
Action starts on Saturday when troubled Millonarios host a much less troubled Santa Fé for what should be an entertaining Bogotá classic at El Campín stadium. In recent classics, Santa Fé were usually the better side. Of the last three games versus Millonarios, the ‘Cardinals’ won two and one ended in a draw. Again, Santa Fé are considered favorites to take the points.
But Bogotá is not the only city to stage a classic this weekend. Leaders Deportivo Cali face local rivals América, who could definitely use the points if they want to have a good chance of finishing in the top eight at the end of the league phase. When these two sides met earlier this month, Deportivo Cali won 0-1.
Atlético Nacional are still stuck at the bottom, with five points from eight games, and a win over arch rivals Independiente de Medellín seems to be crucial at this stage. Although advancing to the next round seems tough to achieve, a win over DIM would calm many Nacional fans, at least for a while.
Just a week after their first meeting this season, Real Cartagena host Junior Barranquilla for yet another coastal derby. Last week, Cartagena silenced Junior fans, beating the Sharks 0-2 in Barranquilla. Junior will certainly aim to take revenge.
Boyacá Chicó, currently third in the league and doing well internationally, host Deportes Quindío who are only just outside the top eight and hope to earn the points that will allow them to climb a few spots. The most recent encounter between these sides, in September last year, ended in a 1-0 win to Chicó.
Deportes Tolima have found their way into the top five of the Copa Mustang and have a decent chance of collecting another few points as they visit Atlético Huila. The home side are currently in 16th place and haven’t won any of their last four league games.
The third Bogotá outfit, La Equidad, travel to the south in order to face Deportivo Pasto. While La Equidad is normally the better side of these two, they tend to struggle against Pasto who won both of the two most recent clashes between these teams.
Once Caldas are in eighth position and aim to improve their situation when they host Deportivo Pereira in Manizales. Caldas have done significantly better than their opponents in recent games, and this added to their home advantage makes them clear favorites to win this match.
Cúcuta Deportivo and Envigado FC are both outside the top eight but close enough to find their way in. A win on Sunday could well be enough to achieve just that. These two teams haven’t met since July last year, when they held each other to a 2-2 result.
