Deportivo Pereira
- Deportivo Pereira begin a new era on Friday when they take on Llaneros FC in the opening fixture of the Primera A 2026.
- Arturo Reyes has taken over the coaching reins at the home team and brings a wealth of experience in youth national teams and as coach of Junior when they won the domestic title.
- Carlos Darwin Quintero and Jose Moya, the home team’s two most influential players last year, are no longer around and Reyes will have to rely on some young players and a few late signings to get through the opener.
- Pereira are more conservative.
- Pereira were beaten 1 - 4 by Independiente Medellín and lost 0 - 4 to La Equidad.
Llaneros FC
- Llaneros FC tend to favour a more direct, high-tempo game.
- Llaneros FC are an organised team that likes to press in the midfield and play direct football.
- Llaneros FC will not be an easy opponent on Friday, however, and it’s unlikely that Reyes’ team will dominate the game.
- They finished in the lower-mid table of the BetPlay reclassification at the end of the 2025 season, with Pereira above them with 46 points to Llaneros’ 45.
- One of Llaneros’ best performances in 2025 was their 2 - 0 win over Once Caldas, with Miguel Ortega in goal and Francisco Meza at the heart of the defence.
Head-to-Head
- This clash has been a tight contest in recent years, Llaneros winning 2-1 in April 2025 and drawing 0-0 in September of that year.
- Deportivo Pereira have won seven, lost five and drawn seven in 19 previous meetings with Llaneros FC in all competitions, so the head-to-head record is only just in favour of the ‘Matematicos’.
- There’s a clear goal difference advantage for Pereira.
Deportivo Pereira
- Carlos Darwin Quintero.
- Jose Moya.
Llaneros FC
- Miguel Ortega.
- Francisco Meza.
- Julián Angulo.
- Daniel Mantilla.
- Yéiler Góez.
Betting Insights
- There is enough uncertainty about Pereira’s mood and cohesion for this to be a close game, which should be settled by the team with the best tactical setup and most solid defence.
- Odds: 2.45 for Pereira, 2.8 for the visitors and 3.3 for the draw.
- Backing Under 2.5 goals at 1.83 looks a good option.
Prediction
- So, two defensive-minded teams who have shown a tendency to crumble meet in this game, although neither are particularly prolific going forward.
- It would be a surprise if either team was to score more than once.
- Back Under 2.5 goals (1.83).
