Once Caldas
- Once Caldas (1 win, 3 draws and 1 defeat from their last 5 matches) are in mixed form.
- With both Once Caldas and Fortaleza FC currently sitting 7th and 8th respectively in Primera A 2026, this Saturday’s match between the sides is not one that will affect the end-of-season standings, but could still have a big impact on how their respective Apertura campaigns finish.
- Hernan Herrera has made Once Caldas a compact, pragmatic and disciplined outfit since taking over in October 2023.
- The team line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and their goal is simple - frustrate the opposition, maintain a controlled tempo, and hit them on the counter.
- They have been extremely successful at home in Primera A 2026, where they are unbeaten in 3 matches (1 win, 2 draws), conceding an average of 1 goal per game.
- Dayro Moreno leads the line for Once Caldas with 3 goals in 7 league matches this term, and Jefry Zapata has chipped in with a brace in the last 5.
- Fortaleza FC will find it tough to keep either of these players in check on Saturday if Once Caldas can establish their preferred game state early.
Fortaleza FC
- Fortaleza FC (1 win, 3 draws and 1 defeat from their last 5) are also in mixed form.
- Sebastian Oliveros has made Fortaleza FC an attack-minded, possession-based outfit since he took charge in January 2023.
- The team press high, create overloads in the midfield and wide areas, and usually get the ball in behind the opposition on a regular basis.
- Fortaleza FC’s last 2 games were a 4-1 away defeat to Atletico Nacional, and a 2-1 home win against Chico FC.
- Recently, Andres Arroyo was Fortaleza’s main attacking outlet, the midfielder scoring 2 goals in Fortaleza’s last 4 Primera A 2026 matches.
- Fortaleza FC have scored just twice in their 3 away games in Primera A 2026, but they should be able to find the net at least once in this one against a defensively minded Once Caldas side.
Head-to-Head
In their 2025/2026 meeting in Primera A, Fortaleza FC just edged out Once Caldas 2-1 at home.
Key Players
- Dayro Moreno leads the line for Once Caldas with 3 goals in 7 league matches this term, and Jefry Zapata has chipped in with a brace in the last 5.
- Recently, Andres Arroyo was Fortaleza’s main attacking outlet, the midfielder scoring 2 goals in Fortaleza’s last 4 Primera A 2026 matches.
Betting Insights
- Once Caldas are the clear bookies favorites at 1.73, but Fortaleza FC are big underdogs at 5.1.
- Fortaleza FC have scored just twice in their 3 away games in Primera A 2026, but they should be able to find the net at least once in this one against a defensively minded Once Caldas side.
Prediction
- The two sides are level on 10 points apiece after 7 matches played, which means a win for Fortaleza will jump them into 7th come Sunday morning.
- Both teams to score is therefore our main selection, coming in at a reasonable 1.7.
