Junior vs Once Caldas - Primera A

When Junior and Once Caldas clash at the home ground on August 24, 2026, the stakes extend well beyond a single result — this is a Primera A fixture that carries real weight for both clubs. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Ahead of the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play-off tie against Czech side Jablonec at Ibrox on Thursday, McInnes said: "I said that when I spoke to Lawrence.

There is little to choose between Junior and Once Caldas on paper, and the Primera A encounter should reflect that balance. Junior are in the midst of a difficult spell, LWLLL in their last five summing up a win rate of 0%. Road trips have been a source of frustration for the visitors — LWWWW in their last five, a season win rate of 33.33%. Goals could be in short supply or plentiful — Junior average 1.14 per game to Once Caldas's 1.44, and that gap may dictate the rhythm of the contest. On Wednesday night, Infantino was given the "full support" of FIFA's management board in a statement despite being forced to abandon his plan to sell stakes in a company to run the World Cup to private investors.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. Junior may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Once Caldas have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. Schalke had only 17 per cent of the possession but, having visited the club to interview their charismatic coach Miron Muslic, that is hardly a surprise.

All eyes will be on the league's leading marksman Y. Guzmán, whose 16 goals this season make him the standout threat and a player capable of deciding the outcome on his own. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. Newcastle United have stepped up their search for an experienced midfielder by opening discussions with Manchester City over a possible deal for Nico Gonzalez.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 1-1 draw is easy to envisage. With the standings tight and form on the line, this is a fixture neither side will want to lose. Important qualities given that Bournemouth will expect him to be proactive.