**Santa Fe are heavy favorites to advance here** — they're basically unbeaten lately while Fortaleza hasn't won in five games. 🔴

Santa Fe's form is clicking (3 wins in their last 5), but they're also carrying injury concerns with five players out. Fortaleza, meanwhile, is stuck in a rut of draws and a heavy loss to Junior — they haven't tasted victory in a month and will need to break that curse fast.

Key storylines:

- **Independiente Santa Fe's attack** needs to stay sharp despite missing key defenders like K. Balanta; leaning on Nahuel Bustos and H. Rodallega to find the net
- **Fortaleza's defensive shape** will be tested early — they've conceded 4 in one game recently and face a Santa Fe side with momentum on their side
- **H2H edge** heavily favors Santa Fe (4 wins, 2 draws in the last six meetings)

Expected lineups:

- **Independiente Santa Fe**: A. Mosquera, C. Mafla, E. Olivera, V. Moreno, H. Palacios, J. Torres, K. Toscano, Nahuel Bustos, H. Rodallega, F. Fagúndez
- **Fortaleza FC**: W. Barlasina, J. Castillo, Y. Díaz, A. Copete, J. Cajares, L. Pico, J. Solis, S. Vivas, S. Herrera

Prediction:

**Santa Fe 2–0 Fortaleza** — Santa Fe's winning streak and historical edge should seal it against a Fortaleza side stuck in neutral. 🎯