Millonarios v América de Cali

They don’t come much bigger than this. Two of Colombian Primera A's biggest teams, both flying high in the league, meet at a packed El Campín on Saturday afternoon Colombian time. It will be a sell out with visiting team América alone able to fill out the Bogotá stadium. It should be quite the atmosphere. Yet goal-hungry fans may end up disappointed. Both teams have based a sizeable part of their success this season on their defences. And it shows. While América, fifth in the table, are only scoring an average of a goal a game, their defence, with just seven conceded in 12, has won them points in many a game. Millonarios are similar. They are the best team in the country by some distance at the moment and can pretty much book their ticket into the final stages of the title chase with a victory here. But while they have improved their goals tally compared to the Apertura Championship – mainly through the acquisition of veteran striker Luis Carlos Ruiz – it is their defence that makes them such a force.

Centre backs Costa Rican defender Juan Pablo Vargas and Andres Llinás, recently called up to the Colombia squad, are two of the best in the Colombian league. Like America, Mllonarios have only conceded seven goals this term, and are protected by Larry Vasquez who is key for providing an extra level of protection. While Millonarios start as big favourites against an America side who were fortunate to beat lowly Patriotas last week, unders is the call of the day.