**Once Caldas are the clear favorites here, but Alianza Valledupar could pull off a shock if they tighten up defensively.** 🔥 This is a Copa Colombia round-5 clash between a mid-table Caldas side and a Valledupar team struggling badly this season.

Once Caldas have mixed form — a win over Fortaleza balanced by a heavy loss to Boyacá Chicó — but that's miles ahead of Alianza Valledupar, who've won zero of their last five and shipped nine goals in two games. The head-to-head is competitive (1-1-1), but current trajectory matters.

Key storylines:

- **Once Caldas** need to control the midfield through **M. Barrios** and **A. Roa** to avoid another flat performance like the one vs Chicó
- **Alianza Valledupar's** leaky defense — they've conceded 15 in their last five — will be tested early by **D. Moreno** and **J. Zapata** up front
- Cup football can produce surprises, but Valledupar's form is so poor that an upset would genuinely shock

Expected lineups:

- **Once Caldas**: F. Parra, A. Correa, D. Londoño, J. Cardona, J. D. Cuesta, M. Barrios, A. Roa, Andres Colorado, J. Zapata, D. Moreno
- **Alianza Valledupar FC**: J. Wallens, J. Lasso, P. Franco, J. Figueroa, Y. Rosales, J. Castillo, W. Fernández, C. Vergara

Prediction:

**Once Caldas 2–0 Alianza Valledupar FC**

Clear edge to Caldas on form and quality. 🎯