Once Caldas
- Once Caldas have drawn both of their home Primera A 2026 games.
- Once Caldas have had a more mixed start to the season, winning only 1 of their opening 5 matches but going undefeated in the last 5.
- They have drawn 4 in a row, failing to close out matches and struggling to create the space and opportunities needed to secure victories.
- They sit on 7 points from 5 games.
Junior FC
- Junior FC have had a productive opening to Primera A 2026, winning 3 of their first 4 fixtures, including both away matches, to sit 4th in the table on 9 points.
- Alfredo Arias took over at Junior in June 2025 and has seen his team make an immediate impact, with his high-octane, ball-dominant, pressing style of soccer already yielding dividends.
- Junior have won back-to-back matches against Deportivo Pereira (3-2 away) and Chico FC (3-0 home) and will head to Manizales looking to make it 3 in a row.
Head-to-Head
Junior FC have won 1 of their last 3 meetings against Once Caldas, with one draw and one loss, including their most recent encounter - a 2-0 home win in Primera A 2025.
Key Players
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Dayro Moreno remains their talisman, with 3 goals in 5 Primera A 2026 matches so far.
- His 3 goals are 50% of Once Caldas’ total goals so far this season.
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Junior FC have been more effective in the front third, with Cristian Barrios hitting 3 goals in 4 league games.
- His 3 goals represent 37.5% of Junior’s 8 goals in their last 5 games.
Betting Insights
- Once Caldas are slight favorites at 2.28, while Junior FC are 3.15 and the tie is also 3.15.
- Once Caldas have failed to win either of their home games so far this year, while Junior FC are yet to drop a point on the road in 2026, so 3.15 on the visitors seems a good value choice for Thursday’s clash.
- With both teams looking to avoid mistakes, the stats indicate that Under 2.5 goals is a good option at 1.7.
Prediction
Junior’s attacking style and pressing may see them edge out Once Caldas, who will need to sit deep and look to hit Junior on the counter, in a game of patience and strategy.
