In the vibrant city of Santiago de Cali, anticipation builds for a marquee clash in the Primera A 2026 Apertura phase as America de Cali host Once Caldas at the revered Olímpico Pascual Guerrero stadium. Set for 30 January 2026 with a rare 03:20 CEST kickoff, the match places two early contenders on a collision course. Both sides enter this encounter aiming to imprint their ambitions on the championship, making this a key fixture in Colombia’s elite league calendar.
All eyes will undoubtedly be on America de Cali’s creative midfielder Yeison Guzmán, who has already delivered 2 goals in the last two appearances – his vision and technical flair are central to the team’s offensive transitions. For Once Caldas, the experienced striker Dayro Moreno is pivotal; with 2 goals and 7 total shots in his last two games, his attacking instinct and leadership often turn half-chances into decisive moments.
Statistically, a notable trend emerges: Once Caldas have earned an astonishing 21 corner kicks across their last five fixtures, highlighting their offensive endeavour and intent to create opportunities from wide positions – a “hot stat” worth monitoring.
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America de Cali vs Once Caldas predictions
Me best bet: America de Cali to win.
America de Cali come into this fixture with an impressive opening – winning both of their Apertura 2026 matches without conceding a goal (4-0 aggregate). Their high press and compact defensive line under coach David González have neutralized opposition attacks effectively. While Once Caldas boast resilience (unbeaten with one win, one draw), their struggles to convert dominance in possession and set pieces into goals have been apparent. Considering America de Cali’s home advantage and sharper finishing, backing the hosts is supported by both form trends and squad balance.
In terms of tactical approach, America de Cali have been disciplined with 39 total fouls and 6 yellow cards in their last five games, reflecting aggressive but calculated pressing. Their ball control, evidenced by high pass accuracy (avg. 85.0%), supports patient buildup play but could slow attacking transitions. For Once Caldas, while their 21 fouls and 6 yellow cards indicate a combative midfield, their 861 total passes and consistent crossing (21 corners) show a preference for width and set piece exploitation. However, this direct style has at times left them vulnerable on defensive transitions, particularly away from home.
- ⚽Total Goals: Under 2.5
- 💥Both Teams To Score: No
- 🎯Total Corners: Over 9.5
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America de Cali vs Once Caldas Most recent H2Hs
| Statistic | America de Cali | Once Caldas |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 4 | 7 |
| Total shots | 19 | 33 |
| Free kicks | 1 | 1 |
| Corner kicks | 2 | 21 |
| Total fouls | 39 | 21 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 85.0 | 89.6 |
| Interceptions | 8 | 16 |
| Offsides | 3 | 4 |
The history between these two clubs is marked by close affairs and tactical chess. Their last five meetings saw two draws, two Once Caldas wins, and one America de Cali win. Most recently, a tightly-contested 1-1 draw in January revealed both teams’ defensive discipline and reluctance to overcommit, as the game offered limited clear-cut chances. Once Caldas’ shock 3-0 and 3-0 away wins in 2025 and late 2024 still linger in memory, proving their ability to disrupt Cali at home. However, America de Cali turned the tide in the 2024 Clausura group stage with a clear 3-0 triumph, showing their upper hand when firing on all cylinders.
🚨Read our full America de Cali vs Once Caldas stats for more analysis.
Key Stats
- America de Cali: Two consecutive clean sheets to open the Apertura, highlighting defensive solidity.
- Once Caldas: 21 corners earned in the last 5 games, the highest among Apertura competitors.
- Dayro Moreno (Once Caldas): 7 shots in last two matches, 2 goals.
- Yeison Guzmán (America de Cali): 2 goals in last 2 games.
- Once Caldas: 4 draws in previous 5 matches, signaling difficulty breaking down organized defences.
- America de Cali: 67% win rate in last 30 days; unbeaten so far in Apertura 2026.
America de Cali vs Once Caldas score prediction: 1-0
Expect a fiercely-contested match where defensive discipline prevails. America de Cali’s recent clean sheets and home advantage tip the balance, while Yeison Guzmán’s late arrivals in the box and clever positioning may make the difference. Once Caldas will seek to break through via set pieces and Dayro Moreno’s finishing, but with a compact backline led by Marlon Torres and high pass accuracy stifling transitions, America de Cali are likely to edge a low-scoring affair.
Pre-game odds and win probability: America de Cali the favourite
| Moneyline | America de Cali 2.10 | Once Caldas 4.00 | |
|---|---|---|
| Draw | 2.95 | |
| Over/Under | Over 2.5 2.30 | Under 2.5 1.74 | |
| BTTS (both teams to score) | Yes 2.10 | No 1.72 | |
The bookmakers’ consensus firmly establishes America de Cali as favourites, reflecting superior form, home advantage, and early clean sheet streaks. The odds for a draw offer value given Once Caldas’ tendency to grind out stalemates and their historical results at Olimpicó Pascual Guerrero. Over/Under lines suggest low-scoring expectations, which aligns well with both teams’ recent defensive records and underlines the value in the under 2.5 goals selection. Both teams to score “No” also appeals, with America de Cali’s backline rarely breached at home thus far.
America de Cali vs Once Caldas Over/Under Analysis
- America de Cali: 4/5 most recent matches finished under 2.5 goals.
- Once Caldas: 3 of last 4 matches saw only one goal or fewer.
- Neither team has scored more than 2 goals in a match over their last 5 encounters.
- Low shot conversion for Once Caldas despite high shot volume; efficiency remains a challenge.

Once Caldas. Source: Official Facebook
America de Cali Preview
America de Cali are enjoying a commanding start to Apertura 2026, having dispatched Boyaca Chico 1-0 and La Equidad 3-0 without conceding. Their compact 4-2-3-1 formation enables a strong defensive screen in front of the back four, allowing their attacking midfielders to push forward without leaving gaps. In their last match against La Equidad, they controlled possession, completed 769 passes with 90 percent accuracy, and kept the opposition pinned back with 19 total shots. Defensively, only 6 yellow cards across five games shows discipline, and new arrivals have settled well into the squad dynamic. The emergence of Yeison Guzmán as a clinical presence has compensated for a slower start from the forward line.
America de Cali possible starting eleven
- GK: Jorge Ivan Soto Botero
- DF: Omar Bertel, Mateo Castillo, Nicolás Hernández, Marlon Torres
- MF: Rafael Carrascal, Josen Escobar, Carlos Sierra, Yeison Guzmán, Jhon Tilman Palacios Moreno
- FW: Kevin Angulo
Once Caldas Preview
Once Caldas enter this fixture unbeaten in Apertura 2026, yet their opening draw with Santa Fe (1-1) and narrow win over Cucuta (2-1) raised as many questions as answers. While their offensive width is reflected in high corners and shot volume (33 total shots, 21 corners in five games), efficiency remains a limiting factor. Dayro Moreno’s sharp form provides hope, but converting opportunities against organized defences has often proved problematic. Defensively, Once Caldas are not conceding much, yet their influential midfielders—particularly Luis Sanchez and Jaime Alvarado—need to step up both creatively and in transition. Coach Hernán Herrera may retain faith in his balanced 4-2-3-1 setup, seeking to keep the contest tight and capitalize on set pieces.
Once Caldas possible starting eleven
- GK: Joan Parra
- DF: Jorge Cardona, Juan Cuesta, Kevin Zapata, Kevin Andres·Cuesta Rodriguez
- MF: Iván Rojas, Luis Sanchez, Jaime Alvarado, Michael Barrios
- FW: Dayro Moreno, Johan Beltrán
Our prediction: Who Wins?
As a TipsGG team expert, we believe America de Cali possess the edge: America de Cali to win is our main pick. Their organized shape, airtight defence, and the attacking verve of Yeison Guzmán present a formidable challenge for Once Caldas, who have thus far lacked clinical edge despite creating chances aplenty. The AI prediction engine assigns a 48% probability for America de Cali to secure victory, with 30% for a draw and 22% for Once Caldas. The home side’s tactical cohesion, momentum, and recent head-to-head resilience are decisive.

America de Cali. Source: Official Facebook
How to watch America de Cali vs Once Caldas
- When? 30 January 2026, Kick-off at 03:20 CEST.
- Where? Olímpico Pascual Guerrero, Santiago de Cali.
- How to watch: Check local broadcasters, streaming services covering Colombian Primera A, and official league digital platforms.
- Favorite: America de Cali
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