Once Caldas vs Bucaramanga - Primera A

A fascinating Primera A chapter awaits on September 26, 2026 when Once Caldas take on Bucaramanga at the home ground — two sides with plenty to play for and everything to prove. Maresca needs the qualitative depth to meet the demands of a season across 60-plus games.

The two sides arrive with plenty to prove, and the Primera A contest at the home ground offers a chance to lay down a marker. The hosts have struggled for consistency, LWWWW in their last five pointing to a win rate of 33.33%. On their travels the visitors have been workmanlike, LWLLD in their last five and a win rate of 42.86% to show for it. Where Once Caldas have leaned on defensive discipline, Bucaramanga have often taken the initiative going forward, and that stylistic difference should shape the contest. Carrick has experimented with Noussair Mazraoui in that position but he seems to have fallen down the pecking order, as the less experienced Patrick Dorgu was preferred for the Manchester derby loss.

How the two sides approach the contest strategically will be key. Once Caldas will want to control proceedings in front of their own supporters, while Bucaramanga will back themselves to cause problems on the break. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images) According to Fabrizio Romano, Man United 'are not proceeding' with a move for the Brighton midfielder.

The fixture boasts genuine star quality. With Y. Guzmán topping the Primera A scoring charts at 16 goals, the stage is set for the kind of individual brilliance that can swing a contest. 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.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 1-1 draw feels like a fitting result. With positions in the Primera A table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. A more central role appears likely given the sale of Youri Tielemans to Manchester United and the anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered by Amadou Onana at the World Cup.