Nacional (home)
- Atletico Nacional de Medellin ended 2025 on an incredible high as they went unbeaten through the Copa BetPlay knockout stages to claim the Copa BetPlay trophy.
- Diego Arias masterminded that campaign and has seemingly brought a renewed sense of stability to Nacional that they have lacked in recent years, due in no small part to a much-improved defensive solidity and overall balance.
- The cup was won with a 1-0 victory and they will be expected to hit the ground running this weekend with a far more potent offensive line-up than they fielded in that final.
Chicó (away)
- Chicó finished 2025 with a whimper, losing to América and Millonarios and winning just one of their final five.
- Flabio Torres is a pragmatic manager who is more concerned with organizing his team to stay in the top flight than trying to take games to the big boys, which has been Chicó’s only chance of success in this fixture over the years.
Head-to-Head
Nacional are a class apart from Chicó and have beaten them around 25 times since 2000 across all competitions.
Key Players
- Andrés Sarmiento was the star of the cup run, scoring vital goals and pestering defenses relentlessly, while Edwin Cardona and Marino Hinestroza provide more creativity and control in midfield to unlock defenses like Chicó.
- Alfredo Morelos is the ever-present threat in the penalty area for Nacional and Chicó will have to be on guard at set pieces.
Betting Insights
- Nacional are overwhelmingly _1.19_ favorites to win this game with Chicó a long shot, so the draw at _6.6_ must be considered.
- The odds seem a little skewed towards the hosts, so taking Over 2.5 goals at _1.48_ looks a great way to get involved with Nacional’s attacking prowess and the recent history of this fixture.
Prediction
Nacional are expected to win by at least two goals as the momentum from the Copa win still carries them along and they have the squad depth to keep the pace up.
