Deportes Tolima kicked off the 2026 Apertura Tournament with an impressive 2-0 away victory against Junior, a team that had previously bested them in the 2025 Clausura final. This win sets a strong tone for their title candidacy right from the start of the season.
As they return to the Estadio Manuel Murillo Toro, the team’s confidence is bolstered by their recent home performance, having won four of their last six official matches there (4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss). Notably, they have maintained clean sheets in three of their last four games, showcasing a strong defensive presence and making them favorites for the upcoming match against Alianza.
Alianza, on the other hand, experienced an unwelcome start to the Apertura 2026, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Fortaleza. Their recent away performance raises concerns, with only two victories in their last ten matches outside their home ground (2 wins, 2 draws, 6 losses) and five matches without scoring a goal.
In their recent matchups, Deportes Tolima has dominated, winning the last six encounters against Alianza since the 2023 season, strengthening their claim to superiority in this rivalry.
Statistical analysis further supports Tolima’s advantage as their last six games have concluded with goals from only one team, and five have featured fewer than 2.5 goals. They’ve also won their last three home matches with a narrow 1-0 scoreline. Meanwhile, Alianza’s last eight official games ended with each match having goals from only one side, and four of their last five away games had fewer than 1.5 goals.
On an individual level, Jersson González stands out after scoring in the previous win against Junior, while Alianza hopes to rally around Carlos Lucumí for offensive strength. Despite suffering key player absences due to suspensions and injuries, Tolima maintains a strong competitive backbone.
Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. at the Estadio Manuel Murillo Toro, and the anticipation for another thrilling match is building, particularly with Tolima’s current momentum and home advantage.