Deportes Tolima could earn qualification to the Copa Libertadores round of 16 if they manage to defeat America Mineiro and other results go their way on Thursday. Should they win and Independiente del Valle fail to defeat Atletico Mineiro, that will guarantee qulification with a game to go.
I has been a contrast of fortune for these clubs in this season’s Copa Libertadores, with Tolima in a good position to qualify, while America Mineiro have just one point from four matches.
Mineiro may still qualify for the knockout stage, but their form and far inferior goal difference makes it unlikely, claiming a third-placed finish and dropping into the Copa Sudamericana their best hope.
Meanwhile, Tolima have excelled in their first Copa Libertadores campaign in nine years and are unbeaten in their past three continental matches.
Their recent form across all competitions suggests that they should be fine having avoided defeat in their last eight matches, which also has them flying high in second in the league.
However, Wednesday is a must win for Mineiro because anything other than three points will leave them with no hope of qualifying for the knockout stage, or the Copa Sudamericana.
They have been placed into a very challenging group against sides who have just proved to be strong for them, which has been shown through their poor defence.
America Mineiro have conceded eight goals from the opening four rounds, including three in this game’s reverse fixture that ended up being a 3-2 away win for Tolima.
However, with this contest now being at home for Tolima, it is hard to see a scenario in which America Mineiro could come out on top.
Should Tolima win, then that could set up a winner-takes-all match against Atletico Mineiro next week, in which the winner finishes top of the group.
Deportes Tolima vs America Mineiro head to head
The two teams have previously met on only one occasions in the Copa Libertadores on April 28, where Deportes Tolima claimed a 3-2 away win. They meet for the second time, once again in the same competition.
America Mineiro 2-3 Deportes Tolima 28/04/22
Deportes Tolima latest home form
Tolima have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their four most recent matches. Their last home defeat came 1-0 against Deportivo Pasto on April 17 in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded six.
Deportes Tolima 0-1 Deportivo Pasto 17/04/22
Deportes Tolima 3-2 Deportivo Pereira 21/04/22
Deportes Tolima 3-2 Cortulua 01/05/22
Deportes Tolima 1-0 Independiente Valle 05/05/22
Deportes Tolima 1-1 Envigado 15/05/22
Deportes Tolima latest away form
Tolima have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They played out a 1-1 draw with Deportivo Pereira in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded five.
Independiente Valle 2-2 Deportes Tolima 14/04/22
Alianza Petrolera 0-2 Deportes Tolima 25/04/22
America Mineiro 2-3 Deportes Tolima 28/04/22
Millonarios 0-0 Deportes Tolima 09/05/22
Deportivo Pereira 1-1 Deportes Tolima 12/05/22
America Mineiro latest home form
Mineiro have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having won three of their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat CSA 2-0 in their last home game in the Copa do Brasil. In their last five matches, they have scored 10 goals and conceded six.
America Mineiro 4-1 Juventude 17/04/22
America Mineiro 2-3 Deportes Tolima 28/04/22
America Mineiro 1-0 Athletico Paranaense 30/04/22
America Mineiro 1-2 Atletico Mineiro 04/05/22
America Mineiro 2-0 CSA 11/05/22
America Mineiro latest away form
Mineiro have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just two of their nine most recent matches. They were beaten 1-0 by Coritiba in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded six.
Atletico Mineiro 1-1 America Mineiro 14/04/22
CSA 0-3 America Mineiro 20/04/22
Santos 3-0 America Mineiro 24/04/22
Atletico Mineiro 1-2 America Mineiro 07/05/22
Coritiba 1-0 America Mineiro 15/05/22
Deportes Tolima news
Tolima have no new injury or suspension issues to worry about from the game at the weekend, so they should have a full squad available on Thursday.
Gustavo Ramirez is the one who usually leads their forward line, but he may drop to the bench for Michael Rangel for squad rotation purposes.
America Mineiro news
Mineiro could be without Iago Maidana, who was sent off in their 1-0 defeat over the weekend. He could be replaced by Joao Paulo, who will come into the back-three alongside Eder and German Conti.
At the other end of the pitch, Pedrinho and Aloisio will likely continue to spearhead their attack.
Prediction and Odds
With potential qualification as the motivation, the hosts should prove to be too strong for Mineiro, who have failed to get off the ground in the Copa Libertadores.
Tolima aim to go into that final group game next week full of confidence, and we are backing them to take all three points.
Odds: 1 1.89 X 2.00 2 2.30
Probable outcomes
Deportes Tolima 1-0 America Mineiro
Deportes Tolima 2-0 America Mineiro
Deportes Tolima 2-1 America Mineiro
Deportes Tolima 3-2 America Mineiro
Deportes Tolima 1-1 America Mineiro


















