Preview: Deportes Tolima vs Independiente del Valle - prediction, team news, lineups

Following the tragic events in Colombia, Deportes Tolima and Independiente del Valle will square off in the opening leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16 tie on Tuesday at Estadio Manuel Murillo.

This match was postponed following a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake which struck Colombia earlier this month.

Match preview

With a heavy heart, Tolima will resume their Copa Libertadores campaign under less-than-ideal circumstances, given what is happening in Colombia.

The last time they were in this phase of the competition, they were beaten handily by the future champions Flamengo 8-1 on aggregate in 2022.

A win on Tuesday would not only be their first in the Libertadores knockout stage this century but it would also extend their unbeaten run in the competition this year to four matches.

Not only are they unbeaten at home in the tournament this season, but they have yet to concede a goal in those three outings at Estadio Manuel Murillo Toro.

Sebastián Oliveros Gabriel has won two of his last three competitive matches on home soil, and he will hope to avoid suffering successive competitive home defeats on Tuesday for the first time since taking charge.

Tolima have never lost a Copa Libertadores home outing versus Ecuadorian opposition, beating their upcoming opponents in the group stage in 2022 (1-0).

While Tolima got here in part due to their strong defensive home form, the Independiente del Valle attack helped them finish first in Group H.

Joaquin Papa Monestier saw his team net the third-most goals in the group phase of the 2026 tournament, scoring 11 altogether in their six outings.

On the other hand, they went goalless in two of their three group fixtures away from home, while dropping points on two of those occasions.

Monestier will hope to see his side extend their winning run to 14 matches across all competitions on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, they have a chance to win a round of 16 match away from home in this competition on Tuesday for the first time this century, while they have not scored a goal as the visitors in this phase of the competition in the 2000s.

Independiente del Valle have never beaten a Colombian side away from home in the Libertadores, losing all four of those previous games as the visitors.

Deportes Tolima Copa Libertadores form:

Deportes Tolima form (all competitions):

Independiente del Valle Copa Libertadores form:

Independiente del Valle form (all competitions):

Team News

Despite recovering from a knock, goalkeeper Alvino Volpi Neto should be available for Tolima in leg one, while Shean Barbosa is questionable after missing their domestic outing over the weekend due to a muscular problem.

Neto has yet to concede a goal at home in this year’s Libertadores, while Luis Sandoval and Jherson Mosquera led them with two goals each in the group phase.

A cruciate ligament tear will prevent Patrik Mercado from featuring for the Ecuadorians, Jean Arroyo is out due to a tibia and fibula fracture, Guido Villar has a knee injury and Juan Cazares is doubtful because of an inner ligament issue.

Carlos Gonzalez leads them with five goals in the competition so far, and Junior Sornoza has goals in consecutive games, netting the winner in a 1-0 victory over Rosario Central.

Deportes Tolima possible starting lineup:

Neto; Osorio, Arrieta, A. Angulo, Pedrozo; Guzman, Trujillo; Lopez, Roviera, Valencia; Parra

Independiente del Valle possible starting lineup:

Quintana; Romero, Carabajal, Viacava, Loor; Mendez, Alcivar, Sornoza; Rodriguez, Gonzalez, Pata