Liga BetPlay Dimayor, also known as Categoría Primera A, is Colombia’s elite league. Among the most competitive and historic clubs of South America, millions of fans tune in every year to watch this league. Colombia’s top football clubs, which include Atlético Nacional, América de Cali, Millonarios, and Independiente Santa Fe, symbolize Colombian football, and each one has been coming annually and has some thrilling matches with great games.
In this article, everything you wanted to know about Colombia Categoría Primera A games, will be covered from fixture schedules of top teams, match outcomes, to the general understanding of the league structure. Whether you are an old football follower or first time for Colombian football, this guide creates rich insight into the games.
Colombia Categoría Primera A: League structure
The Colombia Categoría Primera A comprises 20 teams each year. Such 20 teams compete in two tournaments. Apertura, or Opening, and Clausura, or Closing. Thus, in the same calendar year, two separate tournaments occur, making this one of the busiest leagues in world football.
- Opening: The campaign is from January and continues up to June. With the 20 games played, every side has played the other team once. The top eight teams by the end of the round-robin qualify for the playoffs.
- Clausura: The Clausura covers July to December and follows exactly the same format as the Apertura, providing teams another opportunity to battle for championship honours.
The two tournaments culminate with a knockout playoff phase, the top eight teams advance into a quarter final format. For the final, aggregate scores over two legs are used to determine the overall winner. A team that wins both Apertura and Clausura has the team declared the undisputed league champion.
Popular Standing Teams in Categoría Primera A
Arguably, there are several strong teams having traditions on the pitch and significant following. Some of the popular clubs whose games are a must-watch for anyone who comes into Categoría Primera A:
- Atlético Nacional: Located in Medellín, One of the most successful teams in the history of Colombian football is Atlético Nacional. Attacking football and strong youth development have earned them many titles, not only at home but also internationally, with the Copa Libertadores.
- América de Cali: It’s called “Los Diablos Rojos” by the name of this Colombian club, founded with a glorious history and one of the best teams in the country. The other famous match for the club is Deportivo Cali in the “Clásico Vallecaucano.”
- Millonarios FC: One of the biggest names in Colombian football is hosted in the capital city of Bogotá. Millonarios have experienced a pretty good run in Categoría Primera A and have won several titles to make them one of the oldest and most storied clubs in Colombia.
- Independiente Santa Fe: Another team from Bogotá, with proud history, and fierce local rivalries with Millonarios, Santa Fe are known for resilience and well-crafted tactics.
These teams, among others, like Junior, Deportivo Cali, and Once Caldas, bring a level of competitiveness to each match, in which every game can change the course of the season.
Upcoming Fixtures for Categoría Primera A
Ever a football fan, you must be updated about the next games in Categoría Primera A. Here is the list of upcoming fixtures:
| DATE | VS | TIME |
| Thursday, September 26 | Millonarios vs Jaguares | 07:30 |
| Friday, September 27 | Santa Fe vs Alianza Petrolera | 05:30 |
| Atlético Nacional vs Junior | 07:30 | |
| Saturday, September 28 | Rionegro Águilas vs Dep. Pereira | 04:15 |
| Sunday, September 29 | La Equidad vs Bucaramanga | 01:00 |
| Once Caldas vs DIM | 03:10 | |
| América de Cali vs Fortaleza | 05:20 | |
| Millonarios vs Envigado | 07:30 |
These games include some of the league’s giants and assurances for many suspenseful moments of football tactics. Fans are waiting for the results, which would drastically change the course of the league.
Latest Results: Colombia Categoría
Recent outcomes in the Categoría Primera A let us see the current team form. The recent results include:
- Bucaramanga 1-0 Atlético Nacional
- Junior 3-4 Rionegro Águilas
- Alianza Petrolera 0-1 América de Cali
These matches have been full of unexpected upsets between underdogs, like Rionegro Águilas beating the big fish in an electrifying encounter, not to mention Junior. That unpredictability is what makes this league exciting since one never knows what might happen at any moment of the match. Also know the Kopa America Football List 2024, Which team is going to play and their schedule.
Best Players To Follow in Categoria Primera A
Primera A has also been able to feed some of Colombia’s most promising footballers into top European clubs. For 2024, the following make an essential watch:
- Andrés Andrade (Atlético Nacional): He possesses creative playmaking skills and is arguably the most present midfielder of the league. It is always crucial for Andrés to manage the rhythm at games and meet high assist stats for Atlético Nacional.
- Duván Vergara (América de Cali): This player is super fast and skillful on the wing for América de Cali. His speed and creativity with the ball consistently worry opposing defenses.
- Fernando Uribe (Millonarios): The veteran striker remains vital for Millonarios, scoring vital goals, and is placed and scores well in the league.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Therefore, for entertainment-aimed fans who wish to place some bets on the matches of Categoría Primera A, they have to analyze form and historical statistics prior to placing their bets as sometimes the odds may change with relation to player injuries, team form, and home advantage. Based on the progression of the matches, it wouldn’t be possible to avoid mention of the consistent teams such as Atlético Nacional and Millonarios. But don’t count out the dark horses, like Rionegro Águilas, who have proved they can take on the best.
Next Matches Odds On:
- Millonarios vs Jaguares: Grossly, Millonarios will emerge victorious.
- Atlético Nacional vs Junior: This one should be a draw or fall at the hands of a narrow Atlético Nacional victory.
Conclusion: Why Categoría Primera A Games Matter
It is more than just another football league, but the indicator of passionate Colombian peoples and love for football. The league, with a history behind each team, searing players, and unpredictable results from the games, is no doubt to clinch hearts from both within and out from its territory. Be it attending the games live, following the score lines, or trying your luck by putting money on your favorite teams, Categoría Primera A is an experience which further goes dynamism and thrillness in the game of football.
And so, with the course of events in this season, we should look forward to a more intense level of rivalry, but eventually, it will all come down to crowning the new champion. Don’t miss the next round of exciting matches and experience the best Colombian football has to offer.
