The fight for a spot in the top eight continues this weekend as Deportes Tolima kick off the 11th round of the Colombian Liga Postobon.
Days after advancing to the third round of the Copa Sudamericana, Deportes Tolima hope to get things back on track in the domestic league as well after last week’s 1-0 defeat by America de Cali.
Tolima have found themselves near the top of the league since the start of the current season, while Cortulua hover near the bottom. For the visiting side, it may already be too late to save their campaign and end up in the top eight.
Ibague-based Tolima have good memories from their last meeting with Cortulua, beating the then newly-promoted side 1-5 with three goals from Franco Arizala and two from Wilder Medina.
In Saturday’s other games, defending champions Junior take on Once Caldas, Millonarios host America de Cali and Cucuta Deportivo receive Independiente Medellin.
Leaders Santa Fe play on Sunday and face a potentially difficult task in an away match at Atletico Nacional. The latter are currently in fifth position but have two games in hand in comparison to all of their near competitors. Should they win both, only Santa Fe would still be ahead.
Like Tolima, Santa Fe will have to find new energy after a successful trip to Venezuela in midweek, with the Bogota side holding Caracas FC to a goalless draw to advance to the next round of the Copa Sudamericana.
Atletico Nacional have been in reasonable shape lately but will want to bounce back from last week’s 2-2 draw at Huila.
Second-placed Huila visit Deportivo Cali themselves, in an attempt to further improve their position near the top of the table. Cali are currently in 13th place but should still be hopeful as the gap with number eight is only two points.
In the day’s other games, Deportes Quindio host Boyaca Chico, Real Cartagena travel to Bogota to face La Equidad and Deportivo Pereira play at home against Envigado.
Full schedule:
Saturday, September 25
3:30 Tolima – Cortulua
4:00 Junior – Once Caldas
6:20 Millonarios – America
8:30 Cucuta – Medellin
Sunday, September 26
3:30 Quindio – Boyaca Chico
3:30 Cali – Huila
3:30 La Equidad – Cartagena
3:30 Pereira – Envigado
5:20 Nacional – Santa Fe
