Once Caldas vs Atletico Nacional - Primera A

A fascinating Primera A chapter awaits on May 1, 2026 when Once Caldas take on Atletico Nacional at the home ground — two sides with plenty to play for and everything to prove. Real have been keen to sign the Spain captain from Manchester City, but they now face competition from Barcelona for the 30-year-old, who has a year remaining on his contract at the Etihad.

There is plenty riding on this Primera A encounter for Once Caldas and Atletico Nacional alike, and neither will want to leave the home ground empty-handed. Once Caldas have blown hot and cold, LWWWW across their last five and a win rate of 33.33% that leaves room for improvement. The visitors have been a force on their travels, WLDDL in their last five and a campaign win rate of 85.71% that demands respect. Where Once Caldas have leaned on defensive discipline, Atletico Nacional have often taken the initiative going forward, and that stylistic difference should shape 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 subplot is compelling: Once Caldas favour a possession-based game built on patience and control, while Atletico Nacional are happiest sitting deep and exploding forward on the counter — a classic contrast of philosophies. Man Utd are pushing higher and working harder to press and counter-press the opposition, especially to win the ball back quickly after a loss of possession.

When Y. Guzmán is on the pitch — 16 goals to his name this term — moments of magic are never far away, and the Primera A's top scorer will be central to how this one unfolds. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. Watford sign former West Ham striker Michail Antonio after car crash incident.

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 2-2 draw is easy to envisage. Whatever the outcome, the Primera A fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. Joe Gomez is expected to miss the start of Liverpool's Premier League campaign through injury - but it is not likely to impact the Reds' transfer plans.