Deportes Tolima vs Bolivar Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Deportes Tolima have made 4 appearances in the Copa Sudamericana, with a 2010 run to the quarter finals the furthers they have ever gone. Their last participation came in 2015, having missed out last year. On that occasion they made it to the round of 16, before being eliminated 2-1 over two legs by Paraguayan outfit Sportivo Luqueno. They earned the right to take to field here by reaching the semi finals of the Colombian cup last year, as finalists Junior and Atletico Nacional are already in continental competition.

Tolima have made an inconsistent start to their domestic campaign under new boss Oscar Héctor Quintabani. With eight new players coming in, and six of last year’s team departing, the squad has changed a substantial amount. Evidently by results, the new boss and players are taking time to settle, Los Pijaos lie in 12th place out of 20, with 7 points from 6 games. Tolima will however becoming into the match on the back of a confidence boosting win last Sunday, as they come from behind to beat Envigado with an 86th minute winner.

Bolivar are far more used to contesting the Libertadores than the Sudamericana. In South America’s premier competition they have 29 appearances, while in the Sudamericana they have just 8. Bolivia’s most successful club competed in the Libertadores last year, going out of group containing Argentine sides Racing and Boca. A fairly poor campaign (by their standards) last year has saw them drop down to the Sudamericana, finishing one point off of the Libertadores qualification spots in 5th place.

There’s no signs of them making the same mistakes as last season on the domestic front this year. Bolivar have got off to a good start, winning 3 of their opening 4 games. Each of those wins were by at least three goal margins. However, last Thursday’s 3-2 away defeat at Sport Boys may well have dampened spirits slightly, given that they had the lead twice but managed to throw the points away.

Tolima have been priced as comfortable favourites for the tie, but may not have things all their own way. Bolivar are in better form than them at the moment and have been banging goals in for fun. The hosts will have to keep an eye on visiting midfielder Leandro Sirino, the Uruguayan has already got 6 goals this season.

Bolivar also have far more experience on the big stage, and should fair better in this competition than they did in the Libertadores last year. Most of their work towards qualification will be done on home soil,  but on current form we do see them getting an away goal at the very least.

Despite all of the above, Tolima should just about get the job done. They will have the backing of the home crowd, in a venue they have only lost in 5 times last year.  The hosts have won two of their three home games this year, with both teams scoring in both of those wins. We see both teams scoring again in this tie, with the hosts edging the game by a score of 2-1.