The first leg of the Colombian soccer final is here after an exciting playoff round, with Deportes Tolima and Atlético Nacional battling it out to determine the champion of the Liga Betplay Dimayor 2024-II.
The Pijao secured their spot in the final by defeating Once Caldas 1-0 at home, snatching the top spot in Group B.
Meanwhile, the Verdolaga achieved the same feat by defeating Santa Fe 0-3 and taking advantage of Millonarios’ draw.
Deportes Tolima vs. Atlético Nacional Betting Odds and Info
| When? | Wednesday, December 18 at 7:30 pm ET, 6:30 pm CST, 5:30 pm MT, and 4:30 pm PT |
| Where? | Manuel Murillo Toro stadium |
| Where can I watch it? | Fanatiz USA, ViX, and Win Sports |
Why bet on Deportes Tolima?
Deportes Tolima entered the final matchday of their playoff group in third place, needing not only to defeat Once Caldas but also for Junior to lose against América in Cali, a team already eliminated.
Everything aligned for the Pijaos as Brayan Gil secured victory with a goal in the 32nd minute following a pass from Jeison Lucumí, while the team from Cali defeated the Barranquilla side by the same scoreline. However, the match in Ibagué was not without controversy, as Once Caldas vehemently protested a penalty decision that was not awarded by the referee in the closing moments, leaving plenty of doubts.
Putting that behind, Tolima has proven to be a strong home team, winning all three of their playoff home games by 1-0. During the regular phase of the tournament, they recorded six wins, three draws, and just one loss at home to Junior on August 24 (0-1).
Tolima’s standout player has been Yeison Guzmán, one of the best performers throughout the tournament. The 26-year-old playmaker leads the team in goals with eight and assists with five.
Why bet on Nacional?
Atlético Nacional has been one of the strongest teams of the year and comes into this final in great form, having significantly raised their level. However, their path to the final was anything but easy. Following a controversial draw with Millonarios (1-1), the Bogotá-based team seemed to have the upper hand. Nevertheless, the Embajadores stumbled with consecutive draws against Santa Fe (1-1) and Deportivo Pasto (0-0).
In contrast, the Verdolagas secured crucial victories over Pasto (2-1) and capped off with a commanding 0-3 win against Santa Fe in Bogotá, narrowly surpassing Millonarios by just one point.
Edwin Cardona is the team’s most important player. While his form was better during the first half of the tournament, his talent remains undeniable, and he has the ability to make a difference when the ball is at his feet. Cardona has five goals and seven assists, while striker Alfredo Morelos leads the team in goals with six, having scored in the last two matches.
Other notable players include fullback Andrés Román, who has showcased a newfound scoring touch this season with five goals and two assists. However, one of the team’s weak points has been goalkeeper David Ospina. Despite being a club icon, Ospina has struggled to find his best form since returning from Saudi Arabia.
Final Betting Analysis: Tolima vs. Atlético Nacional
The last time these teams faced each other was on November 14 of this year, with Tolima winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from Brayan Gil. This will be the third league final between these two teams, with the first being won by the Pijaos in 2018 and the second by Nacional in 2022, featuring a 90+1 minute goal by Jarlan Barrera and a missed penalty by Daniel Cataño.
It will be an exciting match between two teams that deserve to be in this Liga Betplay Dimayor 2024-II final and are sure to deliver a great spectacle. Tolima has proven to be very strong at home, but Nacional is riding a wave of improved form and should manage to scrape a draw in their visit to Ibagué.
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