Football’s drama returns to Estadio Palogrande in Manizales, as Colombian side Once Caldas take on Argentine visitors Huracán in the Copa Sudamericana 2025 1/8 Final. This pivotal fixture, set for kick-off at 01:00 CEST on 13 August 2025, serves both as a tactical battlefield and a showcase of transcontinental footballing cultures. With the high altitude of Manizales providing a unique backdrop and both teams eyeing progression, the stakes could scarcely be higher for Hernán Herrera’s Once Caldas or Frank Kudelka’s Huracán.
Key players set to define the rhythm include Jefry Zapata for Once Caldas—whose recent scoring touch has ignited the Palogrande crowd—and Huracán’s versatile Matko Miljevic, known for his incisive forward play and link-up prowess. Their performances might well tip the scales in a contest marked by fine margins and tactical nuance.
A “hot stat” to note: Once Caldas have scored eight goals over their last five matches, hitting a peak with a 6-0 demolition of Patriotas—a signal that offensive outbreaks are possible even amid recent inconsistency.
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Once Caldas vs Huracan predictions
My best bet: Once Caldas Draw No Bet. Despite patchy recent form (only three wins in the last eight matches), Once Caldas have demonstrated considerable home strength, aided further by an altitude edge and raw attacking talent in the likes of Jefry Zapata and Deinner Quiñones. Huracán arrive with a slightly better win rate for 2025 (51% vs 43%) and more solid form over their past five (three wins, two losses), but their struggle to generate consistent offense—three goals across five games—raises questions about whether they can capitalize on the road. The draw probability is high, yet the home side’s ability to create and convert makes them a strong bet, especially if defensive lapses are limited.
Tactically, both teams have favoured the 4-2-3-1 formation, balancing midfield solidity with transitional speed. Once Caldas have attempted more shots (62 to Huracán’s 45) over the same stretch, signifying a greater offensive impetus but a less controlled defensive line (41 fouls). Huracán have recorded more yellow cards (10 to 8), signaling potential vulnerability to game management under refereeing scrutiny. Pass accuracy distinctly favours Once Caldas (1366 total passes at 1366/1628 ≈ 84%) against Huracán (913/1270 ≈ 72%), likely yielding more sustained possession phases for the home side. Yet, Huracán’s 56 interceptions (to Caldas’ 33) suggest aggressive pressing that could exploit errors, particularly if Once Caldas overextend.
- ⚽Total Goals: Under 2.5
- 💥Both Teams To Score: No
- 🎯Total Corners: Over 8.5
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Once Caldas vs Huracan Most recent H2Hs
| Statistic | Once Caldas | Huracan |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 8 | 3 |
| Total shots | 62 | 45 |
| Free kicks | 41 | 60 |
| Corner kicks | 22 | 16 |
| Total fouls | 41 | 60 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 84 | 72 |
| Interceptions | 33 | 56 |
| Offsides | 15 | 3 |
When examining prior encounters, the statistical edge swings toward Once Caldas in shot-generation and possession retention, whereas Huracán impose higher physicality, as evidenced by more fouls and interceptions. Both sides illustrate clear stylistic contrasts—Once Caldas aiming for sustained, structured buildup, Huracán focusing on disruption and transitional attacks. Previous clashes in South American tournaments often turn on such tactical clashes, forecasting another tight, hard-fought ninety minutes.
🚨Read our full Once Caldas vs Huracan stats for more analysis.
Key Stats
- Once Caldas have scored in four of their last five games, averaging 1.6 goals per match.
- Huracán managed one goal in three of their last five and were held scoreless twice.
- Once Caldas boast a 14-shot advantage over Huracán in recent games.
- Huracán’s 56 interceptions point to a high-press defensive scheme.
- Pass accuracy in Once Caldas’ midfield exceeds 80% across recent fixtures.
- Both lineups have fielded a young, dynamic forward line with an emphasis on fast transitions.
Once Caldas vs Huracan score prediction: 1-0
Expectation is for Once Caldas to exploit their home advantage, converting chances through Jefry Zapata or an incisive contribution from Deinner Quiñones. While Huracán’s pressing game could unsettle the hosts, their lack of recent offensive fluidity and average showing on the road suggest they may struggle to break down Herrera’s compact defensive shell. Should Huracán’s Matko Miljevic find pockets of space, the Argentine side are capable of threatening, but the balance tips towards a narrow home win.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Once Caldas the favourite
| Moneyline | Once Caldas 2.70 | Huracan 3.25 | |
|---|---|---|
| Draw | 2.65 | |
| Over/Under | Over 2.5 2.85 | Under 2.5 1.47 | |
| BTTS (both teams to score) | Yes 2.05 | No 1.75 | |
The consensus among bookmakers slightly favours Once Caldas, primarily due to their elevated home advantage and Huracán’s recent inconsistencies in attack. The short odds on “Under 2.5 Goals” suggest a tightly fought tactical contest, where defences may well dominate and a single goal could prove decisive. Both teams are rated closely; however, local conditions, greater attacking output, and slightly better discipline tip the scale, albeit marginally, towards Herrera’s squad.
Once Caldas vs Huracan Over/Under Analysis
- Under 2.5 goals has landed in three of Huracán’s last five matches.
- Once Caldas’ only high-scoring game in their recent run was a 6-0 against Patriotas; three of their other four games saw under 2.5 goals.
- Both teams have averaged fewer than two goals per match across all competitions during the last thirty days.
- Expect a low-scoring, close-contested encounter due to both squads’ recent attacking struggles and defensive discipline.

Huracan. Source: Official Website
Once Caldas Preview
Once Caldas arrive into this stage with a mixed bag of results: one huge win (6-0 vs Patriotas), two disappointing defeats, and two draws in their last five. Their recent 1-1 with Aguilas Doradas demonstrated both fluidity in transition and moments of defensive vulnerability—reminding us of their tendency to trade chances but not always kill off games. Dayro Moreno’s creative presence complements Jefry Zapata’s directness, while Luis Sanchez excels as a box-to-box presence, helping in both ball retention and transitional play. The unit’s strong passing (over 80%) highlights Herrera’s focus on controlling tempo, though lapses at both ends remain a concern.
Once Caldas possible starting eleven
- GK: James Aguirre
- DF: Jorge Cardona, Jaider Riquett, Kevin Zapata, Juan Castano
- MF: Luis Sanchez, Iván Rojas, Tomas García, Deinner Quiñones
- FW: Jefry Zapata, Dayro Moreno
Huracan Preview
Huracán’s journey to Manizales is marked by uneven form: two wins and three defeats in their last five, with a solitary goal scored in each victory. They overcame Tigre 1-0 last outing, benefiting from Fabio Pereyra’s set-piece threat, but the preceding 0-2 at Lanús exposed issues in breaking down disciplined back lines. Team discipline remains a question with 10 yellow cards in five games, compounded by a lower pass completion rate, suggesting less control under pressure. Matko Miljevic and Leonardo Gil will need to drive the link with Ramón Ábila and Gabriel Alanis to pierce a stubborn Once Caldas setup. Defensive aggression keyed by Nehuén Paz and Lucas Carrizo is both an asset and a risk—excessive fouling may concede dangerous set-plays for the hosts.
Huracan possible starting eleven
- GK: Sebastian Tomas Meza
- DF: Cesar Ibañez, Lucas Carrizo, Fabio Pereyra, Tomás Guidara
- MF: Leonardo Gil, Emmanuel Ojeda, Nehuén Paz, Gabriel Alanis
- FW: Matko Miljevic, Ramón Ábila

Once Caldas. Source: Official Website
Our prediction: Who Wins?
As the Tips.GG team, our primary pick is Once Caldas to win by a narrow margin. Their offensive output at home and possession-oriented style—if discipline is maintained—gives them a clear yet slim advantage over a stubborn but offensively blunt Huracán. We assign a 36 percent probability of victory to Once Caldas, with 35 percent for a draw and 29 percent to Huracán, as provided by our dedicated AI prediction engine. Expect a tightly contested fixture where home advantage and individual attacking brilliance could prove the difference.
How to watch Once Caldas vs Huracan
- When? 13 August 2025
- Kick-off time: 01:00 CEST
- Where? Estadio Palogrande, Manizales, Colombia
- How to watch: Available via Copa Sudamericana official broadcasters and streaming platforms in your region.
- Favorite: Once Caldas
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