**Once Caldas host Tolima in a scrap between two mid-table Colombian sides hunting momentum** 🔥 The hosts have the better recent form and home advantage at Palogrande, but Tolima's pedigree in this fixture — and a narrow head-to-head record — means nothing's certain.

Once Caldas are clicking at home (back-to-back wins vs Alianza and Fortaleza), while **Tolima arrive bruised by injuries and a recent loss to Santa Fe**. That suspension of **M. Zuleta** stings for Once, yet they've still got the offensive tools to exploit Tolima's defensive woes.

Key storylines:

- **Once Caldas' home form** vs Tolima's injury crisis — hosts are the slight edge
- **J. Zapata** and **P. Gómez** leading the Once attack against a stretched Tolima backline
- Tolima's **E. López** tasked with sparking life in a depleted setup

Expected lineups:

- **Once Caldas**: F. Parra, J. D. Cuesta, D. Londoño, A. Correa, J. Cardona, M. Barrios, Andres Colorado, A. Roa, J. Nieto, J. Zapata, P. Gómez
- **Deportes Tolima**: N. Volpi, J. Hernández, A. Angulo, J. Ángulo, J. Mosquera, S. Guzmán, H. Martinez, J. Valencia, L. Sánchez, A. Parra, E. López

Prediction:

**Once Caldas 2–0 Deportes Tolima**. Home comfort and Tolima's injury pile make this a lean toward the hosts.