COL: COPA COLOMBIA

BARRANQUILLA, Colombia (Interstat) — Junior hosts Independiente Santa Fe on Saturday at Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in the Copa Colombia, three days after a 2-0 victory over the same opponent.

Wednesday’s win was the most recent meeting between the clubs. Junior forward Miguel Borja scored in the 34th minute and midfielder Yimmi Chará added a second-half goal to secure the result. The match was the first leg of the round, with Saturday’s fixture serving as the return leg.

Junior enters the game with momentum. The team has won its past two competitive matches, both against Santa Fe. The home side is undefeated in its last four games at the Metropolitano, with three wins and one draw.

Santa Fe, meanwhile, is looking to rebound after two straight losses. The Bogota-based side has struggled away from home this season, posting a 2-3-1 record on the road in league play. Santa Fe’s defense has been a concern, conceding 11 goals in its last five matches across all competitions.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 1-1 draw, while the company’s ELO system gives Junior a 75.4 percent probability of winning. The statistical models highlight Junior’s home-field advantage and recent head-to-head dominance.

Junior is expected to field a similar lineup to Wednesday’s, with Borja leading the attack and defender Gabriel Fuentes anchoring the back line. Santa Fe manager Harold Rivera may adjust his formation after the loss, potentially inserting midfielder Daniel Giraldo for added creativity.

The winner of the two-legged tie advances to the next round of the Copa Colombia, a knockout tournament featuring clubs from Colombia’s top two divisions. Junior is seeking its first Copa title since 2017, while Santa Fe last won the competition in 2015.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. local time.