Deportes Tolima vs Junior - Primera A

When Deportes Tolima and Junior clash at the home ground on July 26, 2026, the stakes extend well beyond a single result — this is a Primera A fixture that carries real weight for both clubs. Anderson was pointing out that City had held the whip hand in this fixture "for as long as I've known", which isn't exactly inaccurate but will also fan the flames ahead of Sunday's Old Trafford showdown.

Both camps will view the Primera A meeting at the home ground as an opportunity to put a marker down, regardless of where they currently stand. The hosts have been steady if unspectacular, LLLDL in their last five reflecting a win rate of 55.56%. The visitors arrive short of confidence, LWLLL in their last five and a season win rate of just 0%. Their respective approaches this season have differed noticeably, and the tactical contrast could prove telling. Dusan Vlahovic followed up his hat-trick on Monday by completing the comeback to leave Fenerbahce four points behind Galatasaray, who snatched a late winner at Basaksehir on Friday.

Wing play is likely to be central to the contest. Deportes Tolima will look to stretch the pitch and isolate their wide attackers, while Junior must find a way to compress the space and choke the supply lines. It meant City had a three-man defence of Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov and Ruben Dias when in possession.

The fixture features no shortage of talent, and the league's top marksman Y. Guzmán — 16 goals this term — will be one to watch. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. He is a top prospect, and his profile makes him incredibly valuable: he is a talented 6ft 5in left-footed defender.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. Neither side holds a clear edge, and a 1-1 draw would be a fitting reflection of the balance between them. The ramifications of this result could ripple through the Primera A standings for weeks to come, regardless of who comes out on top. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Liverpool's midfield wasn't great last year but I expect Florian Wirtz to have a better season, 100 per cent.