Santa Fe vs Junior - Primera A

The Primera A returns to the home ground on May 17, 2026, where Santa Fe and Junior will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. Just as was the case in the previous meeting between the teams in April of last year, when Emery's side gave them such a scare in the Champions League tie at Villa Park, PSG were hanging on at the end.

Both Santa Fe and Junior will be eager to build momentum when they meet in Primera A. The hosts have mirrored the form of a side still searching for rhythm — WDDDW over their last five, a win rate of 37.5%. Junior are in the midst of a slump, LWLLL over their last five and a paltry win rate of 0% summing up their struggles. Their respective approaches this season have differed noticeably, and the tactical contrast could prove telling. That was the 3-2 loss to Manchester United in January of this year, which ended a 121-match run without letting in three goals.

Wing play is likely to be central to the contest. Santa Fe 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. His passing display at the World Cup was yet more evidence of his suitability for City and the possession-heavy style Maresca favours.

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. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. Cole Campbell, the club's record signing from Dortmund, marked the occasion with a debut goal too.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. Neither side holds a clear edge, and a 2-2 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. 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.