Deportivo Pereira (Home)
- Arturo Reyes took charge of Deportivo Pereira at the end of December 2025 and has struggled to find stability and solidity to their performances thus far.
- The side have drawn 2 and lost 3 of their last 5 matches under Reyes, leaving them 15th in the Primera A 2026 with 2 points from 3 games, 1 place and point worse off than this week’s opponents CD Junior de Barranquilla.
- Pereira operate in a narrow, compact system with a solid, disciplined block, selective pressure and a counter-attacking approach that is suited to transition games.
Junior (Away)
- Junior are a more attack-minded, direct football team, who push the pace, use their wide players to stretch the play and look to play at a higher tempo than their opponents.
- This is a classic clash of football philosophies and the game should be a real battle for territory and tempo.
- Junior have won 3 of their last 5 games in all competitions, losing 2.
Head-to-Head
- Junior have won 2 of their last 3 head-to-head meetings with Pereira in all competitions, while Pereira have won just 1, with the most recent meeting ending 3-2 to Junior in Primera A Clausura 2025.
- Pereira have taken 2 points from their first three Primera A 2026 games, losing 0-2 to Llaneros FC, drawing 0-0 with Fortaleza FC and drawing 2-2 with Independiente Santa Fe, a decent run of results given they are yet to score a goal at home in the league.
Key Players
- Junior
- Teofilo Gutierrez is Junior’s main playmaker, who has 1 assist in 2 Primera A 2026 outings so far but is the key cog in the middle of Junior’s attacking third, where he often drops deep to start the move.
- Jermein Pena has been Junior’s best goalscorer so far, with 1 goal in 2 Primera A 2026 outings and 2 in his last 5 for the club.
- Deportivo Pereira
- Walmer Pacheco is a creative force for Pereira and will play as the number 10, with 1 assist in 3 Primera A 2026 outings.
- Marco Perez is Pereira’s most likely goal threat, with 1 goal in 3 Primera A 2026 outings so far, and is the main man up front for them.
Betting Insights
- In contrast to Junior, who are the bookies’ favorites to win, Pereira are a long shot at 3.45 for the win.
- Under 2.5 goals looks a bit short at 1.7.
Prediction
- I’m backing Junior to edge a close game here with Pereira looking solid in their most recent game against Independiente Santa Fe.
- Junior’s recent form, their attacking edge and their recent success in the head-to-head give them an advantage in this game, although a 1-0 or 2-0 victory for Junior seems more likely than a 3-1 blowout.
