Once Caldas Aims to Restore Fans’ Faith with Win Over Llaneros

Once Caldas arrives in Villavicencio after a heavy home defeat. The team lost 1-4 to Millonarios in front of about 22,000 fans at the Palogrande.

Match context

The game is scheduled for Sunday at 8:30 p.m. It is matchday 14 of the first phase of Liga BetPlay I 2026.

The venue is Estadio Bello Horizonte Rey Pelé. Once Caldas sits third in the table with 23 points.

What’s at stake

Once Caldas needs seven points from the remaining 18 to reach 30 and aim to qualify. The squad also seeks to move past the Copa Sudamericana exit.

After beating Independiente del Valle 2-0 in Ecuador, Once Caldas drew at home and lost the tie on penalties.

Team news

Coach Hernán Darío Herrera plans one change to the starting eleven. Jaime Alvarado returns to the lineup after recovering from an injury.

Alvarado will pair in midfield with Robert Mejía. Herrera hopes the move helps steady the team.

Llaneros form and head-to-head

Llaneros have not won at home this year in league play. They have six home matches with five draws and one loss.

Home results include 1-1 draws with Bucaramanga, Águilas Doradas and Internacional de Bogotá. They also drew 2-2 with Medellín and Cúcuta. Their lone defeat was 0-1 to Pasto.

The teams met twice last year. Once Caldas won 1-0 in Manizales and lost 0-2 in Villavicencio.

Probable lineups

• Llaneros FC: Miguel Ortega; Alejandro Morales; Juan Pertuz; Francisco Meza; Jimmy Medranda; Kevin Rincón; Juan José Ramírez; Luis Fernando Miranda; Jhon Vásquez; Néider Ospina; Carlos Barreiro.
• Once Caldas: Joan Felipe Parra; Juan David Cuesta; Juan Felipe Castaño; Jorge Cardona; Kevin Tamayo; Robert Mejía; Jaime Alvarado; Luis Sánchez; Felipe Gómez; Dayro Moreno; Jefry Zapata.

Officials and broadcast

• Referee: Wílmar Montaño (Cundinamarca).
• Assistant referees: Jorge Sanna (Norte) and Jéferson Arias (Quindío).
• VAR: Keiner Jiménez (Cesar). AVAR: Ferney Ossa (Antioquia).
• Television: Win+.

Schedule context and next fixtures

This match is part of a busy jornada. Other Sunday fixtures include Internacional de Bogotá vs Junior and Deportivo Pasto vs Atlético Nacional.

Once Caldas then faces a run of tough opponents. Upcoming matches include Medellín, Deportivo Pereira, Internacional de Bogotá, Águilas Doradas and Atlético Nacional.

Once Caldas aims to restore supporters’ faith through a vital win against Llaneros. The team needs a solid away performance to calm growing concerns.

Filmogaz.com will follow the match and provide updates after full time.