It’s time for the definitions in the Betplay I League and it’s time to get out the calculator and the agenda: how many points do you have to add? where can they be achieved? Which teams are excited and which are already thinking about the second half?
What is clear is that there are four teams with a very secure quota: Tolima (38 points), Millonarios (38), Nacional (35) and Junior (32), and one virtually classified, which is Independiente Medellín.
The real discussion is taking place from fifth place down, where several applicants took advantage of the false starts of teams like Once Caldas (lost 0-1 against Cali), Envigado (Junior thrashed 0-4), Equidad (tied 1-1 against Bucaramanga) and of course América, with its 1-0 defeat against Alianza, scores that tightened the table two dates from the end. In concrete terms, there are 9 candidates for 3 home run slots.
According to José Orlando Ascencio, from El Tiempo, the so-called ‘magic number’ fell to 28 or 29 points, all due to the adverse result of América against Alianza, in the Pascual Guerrero.
Thus, those who have a privileged option are: Envigado (27, goal difference 0), Equidad (26, +4), Alianza (26, +1) and the batch of those with 25 units: Santa Fe (+ 3), Once Caldas (+2) and Bucaramanga (-1), followed by Águilas (24, -8). But beware that mathematically there are options for Pereira (22, -2) and even Jaguares (21, -8). The sin of these last three is the defense, because with a negative goal difference they have to lose with their rivals from above.
the crosses
The other issue is the party agenda because there are favorable conditions for some and very inopportune ones for others.
For Santa Fe, for example, it was a relief to see that on date 17 almost all the results were given and by dawn this Monday in the eighth box. However, he has a difficulty: he closes the remaining duels, one against the eliminated Cali but the other against the very lively Once Caldas. In the latter case there is a direct duel for a quota.
For Envigado there is a visitor crossing with Águilas, but it closes against the leader Tolima; La Equidad receives the eliminated Unión Magdalena, but closes out against Atlético Nacional; Once Caldas receives Alianza and closes in Manizales against Santa Fe (both potentially direct duels); Bucaramanga visits Patriotas and closes at home against Pereira, perhaps the most accessible calendar, on paper.
Then there are the laggards with the worst calendars: Alianza visits Once Caldas -direct crossing- and closes at home against Millonarios; Pereira visits Bucaramanga and receives Nacional; Jaguares visits Medellín and closes in their classic against Junior. Águilas receives Envigado and closes with a visit to Cortuluá. America? Well, he receives Pasto and closes in Santa Marta against the eliminated Unión, but he would need a combination of 15 results to scratch a place, which in practical terms translates into an announced elimination.
