Independiente Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima: Preview, Prediction & Lineups

Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima — Match Preview

The atmosphere at Estadio El Campín will be electric this Wednesday as Independiente Santa Fe host group leaders Deportes Tolima in a pivotal Quadrangular clash. This is a battle for the top spot in the group. Santa Fe, sitting 3rd with 3 points, are fresh off a morale-boosting 3-0 thrashing of Fortaleza and will look to leapfrog their rivals.

Deportes Tolima, currently top with 4 points, arrive in Bogotá unbeaten in their last five matches. Under the tactical guidance of Lucas González, the Pijaos have been efficient, but they face a Santa Fe side that has had their number recently. With the head-to-head record heavily favoring the Cardenales, can Tolima break the curse, or will Santa Fe turn the group standings upside down?

Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima — Quick Match Info

Fixture: Independiente Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima
Competition: Liga BetPlay Dimayor (Quadrangular Group A – Matchday 3)
Venue: Estadio Nemesio Camacho El Campín, Bogotá (Capacity: 39,512)
Date: Wednesday, 26 November 2025 (Expected)
Kickoff Time: 20:30 COT / 01:30 GMT (Thursday) / 07:00 IST (Thursday)
Referee: TBC
TV Channel (Colombia): Win Sports+
TV Channel (International): Fanatiz, ViX
Live Stream: Win Sports Online, Fanatiz

Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima — Match Context (2025 Season)

Independiente Santa Fe:

Group Position: 3rd (3 Points).
Form: Strong Response. After a narrow loss to Bucaramanga, they bounced back with a 3-0 win over Fortaleza.
Current Challenge: Consistency at home. They need to turn El Campín into a fortress to secure a spot in the final.

Deportes Tolima:

Group Position: 1st (4 Points).
Form: Unbeaten Run. They have won 4 of their last 5, although a 0-0 draw vs Bucaramanga last time out slowed their momentum slightly.
Current Challenge: Breaking a mental block against Santa Fe. They haven’t beaten the Bogota side in their last five meetings.

Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima — What’s at Stake

For Santa Fe:

Group Leadership: A win takes them to 6 points, likely putting them top of the group depending on other results. It puts destiny in their own hands.

For Deportes Tolima:

Control: A win away at their direct rival would put them on 7 points and create a massive gap. A draw would also be a decent result to keep Santa Fe behind them.

Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima — Team Form

Santa Fe (Last 5 Matches):

W vs Fortaleza (3-0)
L vs Bucaramanga (0-1)
W vs Alianza (1-0)
W vs Dep. Cali (1-0)
W vs Junior (2-1)

Deportes Tolima (Last 5 Matches):

D vs Bucaramanga (0-0)
W vs Fortaleza (1-0)
W vs Aguilas Doradas (2-1)
W vs Llaneros (3-1)
W vs Union Magdalena (2-0)

Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima — Team News

Independiente Santa Fe:

Elvis Perlaza: Suspended (Yellow Cards – A significant loss on the flank, though listed in predicted lineups, he is unavailable).
Yilmar Velásquez: Suspended (Midfield enforcer is out).
David Ramírez: Doubtful (Muscle Injury).
Hugo Rodallega: Available. The veteran striker is the key man upfront.

Deportes Tolima:

Full Strength: Tolima arrives with a relatively healthy squad compared to their opponents.
Yeison Guzmán: The creative hub is fit and expected to pull the strings in midfield.

Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima — Head to Head

19 Jul 2025: Tolima 0–1 Santa Fe
01 Feb 2025: Santa Fe 0–0 Tolima
30 Sep 2024: Tolima 0–0 Santa Fe
03 Jun 2024: Tolima 1–2 Santa Fe
06 May 2024: Santa Fe 1–0 Tolima
Analysis: Santa Fe is unbeaten in the last 5 meetings (3 Wins, 2 Draws), keeping 4 clean sheets in that run.

Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima — Predicted Lineups

Independiente Santa Fe (3-4-3):

Francisco López opts for a back three to match Tolima’s intensity.

GK: Andrés Mosquera
CB: Iván Scarpeta
CB: Marcelo Ortiz (Olivera)
CB: José Aja (Sosa)
RWB: Jhojan Torres (Covering for Perlaza)
CM: Daniel Torres (C)
CM: Christian Mafla
LWB: Francisco Chaverra
RW: Edwar López
ST: Hugo Rodallega
LW: Jersson González (Mosquera)

Deportes Tolima (4-2-3-1):

Lucas González sticks to his possession-based system.

GK: Juan Chaverra (Fiermarin)
RB: Yhormar Hurtado
CB: Marlon Torres
CB: Anderson Angulo
LB: Junior Hernández (Velasquez)
CDM: Juan Pablo Nieto
CDM: Brayan Rovira (Guzman)
RW: Kevin Pérez
CAM: Yeison Guzmán
LW: Jeison Lucumí (Gonzalez)
ST: Brayan Gil (Parra)

Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima — Impact Bench Options

Independiente Santa Fe:

Jorge Ramos: Physical presence upfront if Rodallega needs support.
Weimar Asprilla: Backup goalkeeper available if needed.

Deportes Tolima:

Gonzalo Lencina: The Argentine striker is a dangerous option off the bench to chase a goal.
Ever Valencia: Adds speed and width in the second half.

Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima — Tactical Outlook

Independiente Santa Fe:

Playing Style: Direct & Physical. Santa Fe thrives on set-pieces and physical duels. With Daniel Torres anchoring the midfield, they will look to break up Tolima’s play and launch quick balls to Rodallega.
Strength: Defensive Solidity. They have conceded only 1 goal in their last 5 H2H matches against Tolima.

Deportes Tolima:

Playing Style: Possession & Pressing. Lucas González wants his team to dominate the ball. Yeison Guzmán is crucial for linking play. They will try to stretch Santa Fe’s back three by using width.
Weakness: Finishing. Despite their good form, the 0-0 vs Bucaramanga showed they can struggle to break down low blocks.

Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima — Key Battles

Matchup	Battle Type	Edge
Hugo Rodallega vs. Marlon Torres	Experience vs. Aggression: Rodallega’s movement is elite. Torres loves a physical battle. If Rodallega pulls him out of position, space opens up.	Santa Fe
Daniel Torres vs. Yeison Guzmán	The General vs. The Artist: Torres must mark Guzmán out of the game. If Guzmán gets time on the ball, Tolima will dominate.	Tie
Mosquera (Winger) vs. Yhormar Hurtado	Speed Duel: Santa Fe will look to attack down Tolima’s right. Hurtado needs to stay disciplined.	Santa Fe

Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima — Spotlight Players

Hugo Rodallega (Santa Fe):

The veteran captain continues to defy age. His leadership and goal-scoring instinct are Santa Fe’s biggest weapons. In tight Quadrangular games, his experience is invaluable.

Yeison Guzmán (Deportes Tolima):

The best playmaker in the league. Everything good Tolima does goes through his boots. He needs to find the killer pass to unlock a stubborn Santa Fe defense.

Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima — Fan Reactions

Santa Fe Fans:

“We own Tolima in El Campín. 3 points and we take the group lead!”

“Rodallega will score. It’s written in the stars.”

Tolima Fans:

“Lucas needs to figure out how to beat Santa Fe. We always struggle against them.”

“A draw is a good result, but we have the quality to win.”

Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima — Match-Defining Factors

The “Bogotá” Altitude: Tolima is used to altitude, but El Campín is always tough. Santa Fe’s intensity usually drops in the last 20 mins; Tolima needs to survive the first hour.
Set Pieces: Santa Fe is deadly from corners. With Scarpeta and Rodallega, they have a significant aerial advantage.
Tolima’s Mental Block: Having not beaten Santa Fe in 5 games, doubt might creep in if they don’t score early.

Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima — Prediction

Score Prediction: Santa Fe 1–0 Deportes Tolima

Betting Insights:

Outcome: Santa Fe to Win (Home advantage + H2H dominance).
Total Goals: Under 2.5 Goals (Recent H2H scores: 1-0, 0-0, 0-0).
Both Teams to Score: NO.

Analysis: Santa Fe just knows how to play against Tolima. Their defensive structure frustrates the Pijaos, and playing at home gives them the edge. Expect a tight, tactical battle decided by a single goal, likely from a set-piece or a Rodallega finish.

Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima — Final Word

This is the match of the round in Group A. Independiente Santa Fe have the momentum and the psychological edge, while Deportes Tolima have the tactical fluidity. However, in the Quadrangulars, home form is king. Expect the Cardenales to edge a close contest and take control of the group.

Santa Fe vs Deportes Tolima — FAQs

When is the Santa Fe vs Tolima match?

The match is expected to be played on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, at 20:30 COT.

Is Elvis Perlaza playing?

No, Elvis Perlaza is suspended for this match.

Where can I watch the match?

In Colombia, the match will be broadcast on Win Sports+.

Call to Action — SportsphereArena Community

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