The Copa Sudamericana 2025 Round of 16 continues as Once Caldas welcomes SA Bulo Bulo to the historic Estadio Palogrande in Manizales. Matchday is set for July 24, 2025, with kick-off at 03:30 CEST. This fixture places third-ranked Once Caldas, buoyed by a strong continental pedigree and recent victory, against Bolivia’s resilient SA Bulo Bulo, who seek redemption following their 0-3 home defeat in the reverse leg. The stakes are unmistakable as both teams vie for a coveted place in the quarterfinals. The Palogrande’s altitude and passionate home crowd promise a charged atmosphere as two contrasting footballing philosophies collide. Under the guidance of Hernán Herrera and Pedro De Pablos, tactical adjustments and psychological resilience will be paramount.
Among the standout players, Dayro Moreno for Once Caldas steps up as the driving force up front, his four goals in his last four matches marking him as a threat that Bulo Bulo’s reorganized defense must contain. Meanwhile, SA Bulo Bulo’s Widen Saucedo has shown consistency in disrupting play and distribution from the back line, accumulating an impressive 10 interceptions across five recent appearances. It is the battle of creativity versus containment that will define much of the night’s rhythm and momentum.
Hot stat: In their previous two home matches, Once Caldas averaged 2.0 goals scored and conceded only 1.0 per game at Estadio Palogrande, underlining their home-field authority in this Copa Sudamericana campaign.
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Once Caldas vs SA Bulo Bulo predictions
Me best bet: Once Caldas to win and total goals over 2.5.
Given their dominant 3-0 performance in Bolivia and their attacking dynamism at home, Once Caldas enters as a clear favorite. Their offensive efficiency highlighted by the clinical finishing of Dayro Moreno and the creative supply lines from midfield aligns precisely with the defensive frailties Bulo Bulo has shown, especially away (conceding 3 in Manizales last time). Moreover, their aggression in the final third and pressing style has resulted in high shot counts (60 in last 5 matches) and multiple set-piece opportunities, reflected by 24 corners in five games. The combination of Once Caldas’s scoring prowess and Bulo Bulo’s need to chase the tie should result in a match with open spaces and multiple goals. This is the best value option considering Once Caldas’s odds and home advantage.
In terms of style, Once Caldas have embraced a direct 4-4-2 approach, maximizing crossing opportunities and overlapping full-backs, but they do accrue a considerable number of fouls (37 in last five matches) and yellow cards (15). Their controlled possession (average pass accuracy 87.7 percent) shapes matches but also leaves them vulnerable to quick turnovers. SA Bulo Bulo, generally in a conservative 4-1-4-1, have relied on aggressive ball recovery (38 interceptions, 47 fouls) but often struggle to progress the ball cleanly (pass accuracy 80.4 percent). This could expose their backline to rapid Once Caldas transitions and leave gaps as they press for a result, raising the probability of a high-scoring affair.
- ⚽Total Goals: Over 2.5
- 💥Both Teams To Score: Yes
- 🎯Total Corners: Over 9.5
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Once Caldas vs SA Bulo Bulo Most recent H2Hs
| Statistic | Once Caldas | SA Bulo Bulo |
|---|---|---|
| Total shots | 12 | 7 |
| Free kicks | 17 | 12 |
| Corner kicks | 8 | 4 |
| Total fouls | 11 | 16 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 89 | 77 |
| Interceptions | 8 | 11 |
| Offsides | 2 | 3 |
Once Caldas’s last encounter with Bulo Bulo in Bolivia set the tone for this tie. Calm under pressure, Once Caldas built from the back with precise passing and efficiency in the final third, capitalizing on their set piece mastery and organized pressing. SA Bulo Bulo did manage more interceptions but too often lacked the composure to convert ball recovery into meaningful attacks. Their attacking play was limited by both their own hesitancy and the determined defending from Once Caldas’s back line, resulting in a shutout a reflection of the clear technical gap between the two squads.
🚨Read our full Once Caldas vs SA Bulo Bulo stats for more analysis.
Key Stats
- Once Caldas have scored in every home match this Copa Sudamericana campaign.
- SA Bulo Bulo have only two clean sheets in their last eight matches across all competitions.
- Dayro Moreno leads both teams in goals (four in his last four appearances).
- Once Caldas have won three of their last five games at Estadio Palogrande.
- Both teams combined for 49 total fouls and 39 shots in their last five each, ensuring a physically intense spectacle.
- Once Caldas’s pass accuracy (average 88 percent at home) outstrips Bulo Bulo’s (81 percent away), reflecting their technical edge.
Once Caldas vs SA Bulo Bulo score prediction: 3-1
A logical outcome based on previous form and offensive production is a 3-1 victory for Once Caldas. Dayro Moreno is poised to remain a key figure in attack, leveraging both set pieces and open play, ably supported by Jefry Zapata and Felipe Gomez’s dynamic movement. For Bulo Bulo, a late consolation goal could arise if Once Caldas push high up the pitch, with Widen Saucedo or Juan Montenegro providing some threat on the counter. However, the gulf in technical quality and home advantage should seal a comfortable progression for Once Caldas.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Once Caldas the favourite
| Moneyline | Once Caldas 1.21 | SA Bulo Bulo 11.50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Draw | 6.35 | |
| Over/Under | Over 2.5 1.67 | Under 2.5 2.25 | |
| BTTS (both teams to score) | Yes 2.10 | No 1.63 | |
Bookmakers see Once Caldas as strong favorites, reflected in a low win line (1.21) and odds for Bulo Bulo ranging above 11.00 at most outlets. The reality of their head-to-head result and home advantage justifies this pricing. The Over 2.5 goals market at 1.67 represents decent value, given both teams’ track record for open play and defensive lapses. The market for both teams to score (Yes at 2.10) also merits attention, particularly as Bulo Bulo will be forced to attack. In sum, value steers heavily towards the home side, but opportunistic props are available for punters expecting an open, attacking tie.
Once Caldas vs SA Bulo Bulo Over/Under Analysis
- Three of Once Caldas’s last five games have seen over 2.5 goals.
- SA Bulo Bulo have conceded at least two goals in four of their last seven away fixtures.
- Both teams have scored in four of Bulo Bulo’s last five Copa Sudamericana matches.
- Key tip: Over 2.5 goals looks highly likely given attacking intent and defensive tendencies.
Once Caldas Preview
Once Caldas enter this fixture in mixed form, having won just once in their last five matches (a crucial 3-0 away at Bulo Bulo), but the mood in Manizales is optimistic. Their last outing ended in a narrow 1-2 defeat to Fortaleza, but the performance remained encouraging Once Caldas showed resilience and created multiple opportunities, only to falter defensively in key moments. Prior matches saw a draw with Newells (1-1) and a loss to Atletico Nacional (1-3), yet the standout theme is the club’s flexibility, toggling between assertive pressing and structured build-up. Their undoubted strength lies in the clinical finishing of Dayro Moreno and the width provided by Cuesta and Barrios.
Once Caldas possible starting eleven

- GK: James Aguirre
- DF: Juan castano, Jorge Cardona, Jaider Riquett, Juan Patiño
- MF: Esteban Beltran, Iván Rojas, Alejandro García, Luis Sanchez
- FW: Dayro Moreno, Jefry Zapata
SA Bulo Bulo Preview
SA Bulo Bulo’s road to the round of 16 has been defined by inconsistency, alternating between defensive solidity and periods of leakage. Their 2-0 win over Real Oruro demonstrated their potential, with a blend of direct attacking play and well-timed pressing. However, a 0-3 defeat to Once Caldas at home exposed the issues that have plagued them, notably a lack of organization under pressure and trouble in transition. Despite these setbacks, individual performances from players such as Santiago Arce and Enrique Flores in midfield provide a platform for potential upsets, as both have contributed to Bulo Bulo’s rare high moments this campaign.
SA Bulo Bulo possible starting eleven

- GK: Jose Feliciano Penarrieta
- DF: Widen Saucedo, leonardo justiniano, Cristian Valencia, Huberth Sanchez
- MF: Santiago Arce, Enrique Flores, Julio Herrera, Juan Montenegro, Adalid Terrazas
- FW: Anthony Vásquez

Once Caldas. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo
The Verdict
Our main pick: Once Caldas to win (probability 78 percent, as projected by our AI prediction model powered by Tips.GG data analytics).
Once Caldas’s structure, tactical intelligence, and individual class especially from Dayro Moreno and Jefry Zapata are likely to be determinative. Bulo Bulo may find sporadic opportunities on the break, but the match dynamic favors a controlled home victory unless defensive errors multiply. Expect Once Caldas to stamp their authority early, manage tempo, and lean into set-piece superiority as the night progresses.
How to watch Once Caldas vs SA Bulo Bulo
When?
24 July 2025, 03:30 CEST
Where?
Estadio Palogrande, Manizales
How to watch: Broadcasters in Colombia and Bolivia, official Copa Sudamericana stream, and select betting sites with live coverage.
Favorite: Once Caldas
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