Once Caldas vs Cucuta - Primera A

The Primera A returns to the home ground on July 27, 2026, where Once Caldas and Cucuta will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. The defender has entered the third year of his scholarship agreement, and United have hoped to tie Kukonki down to a professional contract, which was initially agreed last year.

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 mirrored the form of a side still searching for rhythm — LWWWW over their last five, a win rate of 33.33%. The visitors have been enduring a wretched campaign, L in their last five and a season win rate of just 22.22% that leaves them deep in trouble. The contrast in attacking output — 1.44 versus 1 goals per game — adds an extra layer of intrigue. Manchester City are nearing an agreement with Marseille for an experienced goalkeeper as they continue reshaping the position behind Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Pressing intensity will define the contest. Once Caldas will seek to win the ball high up the pitch and suffocate Cucuta's build-up, while the visitors will aim to play through the pressure and exploit the spaces it leaves behind. It isn't clear yet that this will definitely be a winger, with Maresca and sporting director Hugo Viana flexible over their attack.

The fixture features no shortage of talent, and the league's top marksman Y. Guzmán — 16 goals this term — will be one to watch. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. Director of recruitment Christopher Vivell is said to be one of the names who put the Roma midfielder forward as a target, with director of football Jason Wilcox raising other options, which is why a deal is yet to progress.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. With the sides so closely matched, a 1-1 stalemate looks the most likely way this one ends. Whatever the outcome, the Primera A fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. The team currently most likely to win the 2026 WNBA Finals according to Opta.