Preview: Santa Fe vs. Atletico Junior - prediction, team news, lineups

Atletico Junior head into their fixture with Santa Fe knowing that victory could earn them a place in the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores.

While Santa Fe have little to play for with their position at the bottom of Group D already confirmed, they will want to restore some pride against their fellow Colombian outfit.

Match preview

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Having gone 27 years without reaching the semi-finals of this competition, Junior are not regarded as one of the main contenders to lift the trophy later this year.

However, their excellent 2-1 victory over Fluminense last time out has given them every chance of edging out the Brazilian team for a place in the knockout stages.

Luis Amaranto Perea has witnessed his team give up three leads during the group stages, but they finally got things right at the Maracana.

Miguel Borja has been the star of the show for Junior, netting as many as six goals from just seven outings in this competition.

While only a win will do for the visitors, Harold Rivera will feel the same about his Santa Fe side after their disappointing effort during the group stage.

Although all three of their defeats have come by a 2-1 scoreline, they have suffered the consequences of going two goals behind in two of those fixtures.

Despite sitting just one point adrift of top-flight leaders, Los Cardenales have prevailed in just three of their last 10 domestic games.

Midfielder Kelvin Osario has netted twice in this competition, taking his tally for the season to eight strikes.

Team News

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The recall of Osario is likely to represent one of several changes made by Santa Fe boss Rivera.

Diego Valdes and Auli Oliveros are both pushing for starting roles, while Rivera will weigh up whether to hand an opportunity to 15-year-old Hollman McCormick.

Barring any late fitness issues, Perea could stick with the Junior side which started the win over Fluminense.

Junior held a two-goal advantage before Perea tinkered with the trio who were occupying the creative midfield positions.

That should mean that Daniel Moreno, Edwuin Cetre and Jhon Fredy Pajoy all retain their spots in the team.

Santa Fe possible starting lineup:

Castellanos; Torijano, Palacios, Moralez; Porras, Pico, Osario; Oliveros, Velasquez, Gonzalez; Valdes

Atletico Junior possible starting lineup:

Viera; Viafara, Rosero, Ditta, Fuentes; Vasquez, Di.Moreno; Da.Moreno, Cetre, Pajoy; Valencia

We say: Santa Fe 1-2 Atletico Junior

Santa Fe have shown enough in this competition to show that they are capable of troubling superior opponents. Nevertheless, we expect Junior to build on their success last time out to edge this contest by the odd goal in three.