Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia

Preview: Deportes Tolima vs. America Mineiro - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 16 May 2022, 19:58
Deportes Tolima could secure qualification to the Copa Libertadores round of 16, should they beat America Mineiro and other results go their way on Wednesday.

If they win and Independiente del Valle fail to beat Atletico Mineiro, that will ensure qualification with a game to go.

Match preview

It has been a contrast of fortune for these sides in this season's Copa Libertadores, with Tolima in a good position to qualify, whereas America Mineiro have just one point from four games.

Mineiro could still qualify for the knockout stage, but their form and far inferior goal difference makes that unlikely, making a third-placed finish and dropping into the Copa Sudamericana their best hope.

Tolima, meanwhile, have excelled in their first Copa Libertadores campaign in nine years and are unbeaten in their past three continental outings.

This has left them just one point off last year's semi-finalists Atletico Mineiro, but with a daunting away trip to the Brazilian side next week, it is important that they do not slip up here.

However, their recent form in all competitions suggests that they should be fine having avoided defeat in their last eight games, which also has the Colombian side flying high in second in the league.

Their form has largely stemmed from a high scoring attack and it is a forward line that will be going up against a team, who have the fourth worst defensive record in this season's Copa Libertadores.

Wednesday is a must-win for Mineiro though, because anything other than three points will leave them with no hope of qualifying for the knockout stage, or the Copa Sudamericana.

They have been put into a very tough group against sides who have just proved to be too strong for them, and that has shown through their poor defence.

Mineiro have conceded eight goals from the opening four rounds, including three in this game's reverse fixture which ended up being a 3-2 away win for Tolima.

However, with this fixture now being a home one for Hernan Torres's side, who have qualification very much in their sight, it is hard to see a scenario in which America Mineiro come out on top.

If Tolima do take all three points, then that could set up a winner-takes-all match against Atletico Mineiro next week, in which the winner finishes top of the group.

Deportes Tolima Copa Libertadores form:

Deportes Tolima form (all competitions):

America Mineiro Copa Libertadores form:

America Mineiro form (all competitions):

Team News

Following their 1-1 draw over the weekend, Tolima have no new injury or suspension concerns to worry about, so they should have a full squad available to them on Wednesday.

Gustavo Ramirez is the one who usually leads their forward line, but he may drop to the bench for Michael Rangel for squad rotation purposes.

America Mineiro, meanwhile, could be without Iago Maidana, who was sent off in their 1-0 defeat over the weekend.

In his place could be Joao Paulo, who will slot into that back-three alongside Eder and German Conti.

At the other end of the pitch, it is likely that Aloisio and Pedrinho will continue to spearhead their attack.

Deportes Tolima possible starting lineup:

Cuesta; Suarez, Mosquera, Caicedo, Angulo; Riascos, Urena; Escobar, Garcia, Orozco; Rangel

America Mineiro possible starting lineup:

Jailson; Paulo, Eder, Conti; Patric, Marlon, Kal, Ramirez, Rodriguinho; Aloisio, Pedrinho

We say: Deportes Tolima 2-0 America Mineiro

With potential qualification as the motivation, the home side should prove to be too strong for Mineiro, who have failed to get off the ground in the Copa Libertadores.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk For the first time in the CONCACAF Nations League, Canada and Mexico will face each other, with a spot in the final at stake on Thursday at SoFi Stadium. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk In the first semi-final of the 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League, the reigning three-time champions, the USA, host Panama on Thursday at SoFi Stadium in California. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk On Thursday Jordan will look to climb into a top two position when they host Palestine at Amman International Stadium on matchday seven of the World Cup 2026 qualification cycle for both teams. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly prepared to step up their pursuit of Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen over the international break. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly included Victor Osimhen on a four-man striker shortlist for the summer transfer window. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town have reportedly been impressed by Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland but could face competition from Sunderland for his signature. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The first international break of the year will see Liberia take on Tunisia at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex this Wednesday in the fifth round of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The first clash in this international break's double-header sees the Central African Republic face Madagascar at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in neutral Morocco on Wednesday in the fifth round of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifying series. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly prepared to consider selling Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz as it emerges they have seemingly made contact with Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak. 17 March 2025 talksport.com A Bulgarian first division team held a minute's silence for a former player... only to later discover he's still alive. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Lionel Messi has been omitted from Argentina's squad list for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil. 17 March 2025 talksport.com After some backlash to his claims that he's the greatest player of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo has some support in the opposition dugout. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Reigning European champions Barcelona Women will head to Germany for Wednesday's Women's Champions League clash against Wolfsburg Women. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Just a few days after they face off in the Women's League Cup final, Manchester City Women will lock horns with Chelsea Women in the first leg of the Women's Champions League quarter-finals. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman has left the club, the Premier League side have announced. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany is a "big fan" of Oscar Bobb and is delighted to see the youngster edging closer to a first-team return after being "robbed of a year" due to injury. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool should prioritise Virgil van Dijk's contract renewal over Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, former Reds striker Emile Heskey has told Sports Mole. 17 March 2025 talksport.com The first major question surrounding Thomas Tuchel as England manager has been answered. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is allegedly attracting interest from another Premier League club. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal's Bukayo Saka is reportedly targeting a long-awaited return from a hamstring injury in time for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified another two potential replacements for head coach Ange Postecoglou. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Robbie Fowler is hopeful Trent Alexander-Arnold will remain at Liverpool this summer. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool allegedly have plans to entertain offers for at least one of their regular attacking players during the summer transfer window. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that the performance of Omar Marmoush against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend has sent a "slight warning" to his out-of-form teammate Phil Foden. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Liverpool should be pursuing Newcastle's Alexander Isak, regardless of Mohamed Salah's future at Anfield. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The elusive quadruple that Liverpool fans are still pining for remains out of sight for now, but come the sunshine of May, Arne Slot and his crop will surely be proudly parading their Premier League trophy. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Sergio Ramos' cheeky post on social media proved he is well aware of his reputation for being a red card magnet. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Simon Jordan dubbed Martin Keown a 'clown' during a furious clash over Liverpool and Arsenal's trophy hopes live on talkSPORT. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are likely to at least resolve the contract situations of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the coming months, Reds expert David Lynch has claimed.