Alianza vs Tolima Prediction: Can Tolima keep their 1st place?

In the upcoming fixture of Colombia Primera A - Apertura, Alianza will face Tolima at Stadium Armando Maestre Pavajeau in Valledupar. The home side head here after a loss (1-0) against Once Caldas. The visitors arrive here after an important win (2-1), against Deportivo Pereira.

Betting tips and odds are provided below.

The Alianza team comes to this game after a 1-0 defeat against Once Caldas. The match would start evenly, however, the Once Caldas team would be reduced to 10 players after 19 minutes. With this, the Alianza team would become superior regarding ball possession and goal opportunities. The all-important team would have a penalty in the 41st minute but would miss it. And shortly after, the Once Caldas team would take advantage of one of the few opportunities they had in the first half to reach 1-0, at 45+5'. With another player at the start of the 2nd half, the all-important team would be much better, finishing the 2nd half with an impressive 78% of ball possession. Again in the 2nd half, the Alianza team would have a penalty in the 68th minute, and the team would again waste this excellent opportunity. Despite having less possession of the ball, the Once Caldas team was creating goal opportunities, but just like the Alianza team, they failed to score. The Once Caldas team would be able to withstand the result and thus take the 3 points. This would be an extremely disappointing result for the Alianza team who had 2 penalties at their disposal and were unable to convert any of them. With this result, the Alianza team finds itself in 17th place in the table, with 12 points. In the last 5 league games the team has recorded 1 win, 1 draw, and 3 defeats, having scored 13 goals and conceded 18.

The Tolima team comes into this game after a very important 2-1 victory against Deportivo Pereira. The Tolima team started the match very well, scoring 1-0 in the 10th minute. Shortly afterward, at 18', Pereira's team would have a penalty but would end up wasting it. To make matters worse, the team would be reduced to 10 players shortly afterward, at 29' with Ararat's expulsion. Even so, the game would continue to be divided, with the Tolima team having an advantage and not wanting to expose themselves. At the beginning of the second half, it would be Tolima's team that would be reduced to 10 players, at 53'. With numerical equality and at a disadvantage, the Deportivo Pereira team would take over the game in search of a draw. And it would arrive shortly afterward, in the 55th minute, for the equalizer. Pereira's team would maintain offensive pressure, but it would be Tolima's team that would create more danger. The team would end up having a penalty in the 78th minute that would fail, but would eventually reach 2-1 in the 79th minute. The Tolima team would be able to hold on to the result until the end and take the 3 points. This would be a very important victory for the team from Tolima would return to the top of the table again. With this result, the Tolima team is in first place in the table, with 26 points. In the last 5 league games the team has recorded 2 wins and 3 draws, scoring 21 goals and conceding 11. The team needs to add consecutive victories again to maintain 1st place, with direct opponents just 3 points away.

In the last 5 games between these 2 teams, Alianza has won 1, and Tolima has won 4. Goals were scored in all of those 5 games, but with both teams scoring in just 2 of those matches.

Despite playing away, Tolima are clear favorites to win this match. They are in a better momentum and really need the win to maintain their 1st place.