As the season wraps up in many European leagues, football in South America is heating up with several national and international competitions. In Colombia, alongside the much-anticipated Apertura Quadrangular, the Copa BetPlay also takes center stage, with the second round of group stage fixtures unfolding this week. At the Estadio Departamental Libertad, Deportivo Pasto makes its Group C debut by hosting Llaneros, who are coming off a draw in their opening match. With Pasto sitting out the first round, a win is crucial to immediately get into contention for a place in the next round. Their objective is clear: beat Llaneros to leapfrog them in the standings and build momentum toward qualification. Coached by Camilo Ayala, Pasto can rely on a strong home record: since February, the team has built much of its confidence playing in front of its fans, a factor that bodes well for this matchup. Home advantage could be the key to securing all three points in their tournament opener. Llaneros, on the other hand, drew 1-1 in their first Copa BetPlay outing against Atlético Cali, a team currently competing in Primera B. Despite Rincón’s opener, Llaneros conceded in the second half to a Cortéz goal, missing a chance to take full points. Their away form has been far from convincing in recent months, but under Jose Luis Garcia, the visitors will surely fight hard, aiming to become one of the surprise packages of this year's competition.

Deportivo Pasto Recent Form and Key Stats

Deportivo Pasto enters the Copa BetPlay with a mixed run of form. Over their last seven matches in all competitions, the Volcánicos have recorded 3 wins and 4 losses, scoring just 5 goals while conceding 7—evidence of an ongoing struggle in the final third.

In their most recent official fixture on May 25, they lost 2-1 away to Atlético Bucaramanga in Primera A, continuing a concerning defensive trend: they’ve conceded at least one goal in each of their last three games.

Despite narrowly missing out on a spot in the Apertura Quadrangular (finishing 11th with 29 points, three behind the final qualification spot), Pasto remains a formidable force at home. At the Estadio Departamental Libertad, the team is unbeaten in their last nine matches, with 7 wins and 2 draws. Their last three home games—all victories over Águilas Doradas, Fortaleza, and Once Caldas—highlight the significant contrast between their home and away form.

Llaneros Recent Form and Key Stats

Llaneros, managed by José Luis García, approach this clash on the back of two positive results. After a 1-1 draw with Atlético Cali in their Copa BetPlay debut, they earned an impressive 2-1 comeback win away at Envigado in Primera A, courtesy of stoppage-time goals from Reina and Rangel.

Still, defensive frailties remain their biggest concern: Llaneros have conceded at least one goal in each of their last 14 matches across all competitions. In Primera A, their overall record reflects the expected growing pains of a newly promoted side—20 points and a place in the lower half of the table.

Away form, however, continues to be a major issue. Aside from two recent victories over Envigado and Águilas Doradas (in April and May), Llaneros hadn’t won a road match since October 30, 2024, back in their Primera B days. Since then, they’ve suffered 11 away defeats and earned just one draw.

Deportivo Pasto vs Llaneros Prediction and Tactical Overview

In the only previous meeting between these two sides, which took place on March 9 in Primera A, Deportivo Pasto secured a narrow 1-0 home win thanks to a penalty converted by Facundo Bone. That result underscores the importance of home advantage, which could once again play a decisive role in this Copa Colombia fixture.

The hosts, who boast a 2005/06 Colombian league title, aim to kick off the group stage strong and position themselves among the top two teams that qualify for the tournament’s quarterfinals.

The Estadio Departamental Libertad continues to serve as a stronghold for the Volcánicos: they’ve conceded only one goal across their last three home matches. This defensive solidity could prove crucial once again.

Llaneros enter this match buoyed by their away win over bottom-of-the-table Envigado, but their broader away record remains unconvincing. They’ve failed to score in 5 of their last 8 road games and have a habit of starting slow, having conceded first in 6 of their last 8 matches.

If they fall behind early again at the Libertad, it’s unlikely they’ll mount a comeback similar to their win over Envigado. Facing a well-organized and confident Deportivo Pasto at home will be a much stiffer challenge.

The prediction for Deportivo Pasto vs Llaneros, valid for matchday 2 of the Copa Colombia, sees the home side winning, but with fewer than three goals scored in total.

• Deportivo Pasto vs Llaneros prediction from the BetMines algorithm predicts a match with Over 2.5 goals at 44%.
  
  
• Deportivo Pasto vs Llaneros prediction from the BetMines Algorithm predicts a match with Under 2.5 goals at 56%.

Predicted Lineups Deportivo Pasto vs Llaneros

DEPORTIVO PASTO (5-4-1): Cabezas; Alba, Carabali, Alarcon, Rios, Velasco; Bone, Charrupi, Jaramillo, Quinones; Ritacco Coach: Camilo Ayala

LLANEROS (4-2-3-1): Romana Garavito; Mojica, Mina Chara, Angulo, Lasso; Mosquera, Restrepo; Montes, Lopez, Uruena; Rangel Coach: Jose Luis Garcia