Atletico Bucaramanga, battling to secure a top two finish in Group E, will travel to the Monumental David Arellano on Friday to face Colo-Colo in the Copa Libertadores.
The hosts are bottom of the standings and already ensured to be eliminated from the tournament, while the visitors are third but just two points behind second-placed Fortaleza.
Match preview
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Colo Colo lifted a record-extending 34th Chilean Primera Division title in 2024, amassing 67 points after 30 games - from 21 wins, four draws and five defeats - finishing two points clear of second-placed Universidad de Chile.
The Whites have failed to replicate that success at the beginning of this term, however, as Colo Colo sit 11th in the league standings after just four wins, two draws and three defeats, though they do hold several games in hand over a majority of the league.
Those struggles have extended to the Copa Libertadores, where their group-stage elimination has already been confirmed as they sit bottom of the standings with two draws and three defeats, trailing third-placed Atletico Bucaramanga by four points with only one game remaining.
Their results include back-to-back 4-0 losses to Fortaleza and Racing Club, a 3-0 defeat following the abandonment of their first match against Fortaleza due to serious incidents inside and outside the stadium, and two draws, 3-3 with Atletico Bucaramanga and 1-1 with Racing Club.
Although they ended a five-game winless run across all competitions with a 4-1 league victory against Union Espanola last time out, Thursday's hosts remain in poor form and are certainly the underdogs heading into the clash.
While the hosts have little left to play for with their elimination confirmed, the visitors are battling to secure a top-two finish in Group E and ensure their progression into the knockout rounds.
Atletico Bucaramanga are currently third in the table with six points after five group stage fixtures - from one win, three draws and one defeat - leaving them just two points behind second-placed Fortaleza.
As Fortaleza take on top-of-the-table Racing Club in the final game, the Leopards will be hoping the Brazilian side fall to defeat, since Atletico Bucaramanga must win and Fortaleza lose to secure a second-placed finish - or take three points and overturn a seven-goal difference swing in the case of a Fortaleza draw.
Leonel Alvarez's men are enjoying a strong run of form heading into this clash, with three victories and one draw in their last four outings, providing them plenty of confidence as they aim for a crucial triumph.
Team News
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Colo Colo will be without Emiliano Amor (muscle) and Erick Wiemberg (knock) for the foreseeable future due to ongoing injury problems, while veteran Arturo Vidal is ruled out due to suspension after receiving his marching orders in their last Libertadores outing.
As a result, Victor Felipe Mendez could play just behind an advanced midfield duo of Claudio Aquino and Vicente Pizarro, with Francisco Marchant and Lucas Cepeda starting in wide areas and Javier Correa leading the line.
In defence, Mauricio Isla, Alan Saldivia, Sebastian Vegas and Daniel Gutierrez could retain their place in defence after a 4-1 league victory at the weekend, with Fernando de Paul between the posts.
As for Atletico Bucaramanga, Aldair Zarate (muscle), Carlos Henao (muscle) and Santiago Jimenez (knock) are all unlikely to feature again until next month due to injury issues.
Luciano Pons has scored nine goals in 19 appearances this season, including three in four Libertadores matches, and the striker should lead an attacking quartet alongside Frank Castaneda, Fabian Sambueza, and Kevin Londono.
Given the Leopards are undefeated in their last four outings, a similar defence and midfield should build the foundation of the team, with Aldair Quintana, Aldair Gutierrez, Cristian Zapata, Jefferson Mena, Fredy Hinestroza, Edwin Castro and Diego Chavez all retaining their places.
Colo-Colo possible starting lineup:
De Paul; Isla, Saldivia, Vegas, Gutierrez; Marchant, Aquino, Mendez, Pizarro, Cepeda; Correa
Atletico Bucaramanga possible starting lineup:
Quintana; Gutierrez, Zapata, Mena, Hinestroza; Castro, Chavez; Castaneda, Sambueza, Londono; Pons
We say: Colo-Colo 1-3 Atletico Bucaramanga
Although Colo Colo are undefeated in their last seven home fixtures, the hosts have nothing left to play for with their elimination confirmed, while the visitors will be battling to secure a top-two finish in Group E.
Given Atletico Bucaramanga's impressive form compared to the hosts, who are winless in this competition, we believe the extra motivation and stronger performances of late will help lead them to victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
