Deportes Tolima Possible Lineup Against Independiente del Valle in the 2026 Copa Libertadores

El Pijao will look to make home-field advantage count before heading to Ecuador for the decisive second leg.

📺 Don't miss Deportes Tolima vs Independiente del Valle LIVE and EXCLUSIVELY on beIN SPORTS.

Deportes Tolima Look to Make Home Advantage Count

Deportes Tolima host Independiente del Valle this Tuesday, August 18, at Estadio Manuel Murillo Toro in the first leg of the 2026 Copa Libertadores Round of 16, with the Colombian side looking to take an important step toward the quarterfinals.

Sebastián Oliveros' side will look to capitalize on one of their biggest strengths in this year's competition: playing at home. Tolima have won all three of their Copa Libertadores matches in Ibagué without conceding a single goal.

El Pijao also have a positive record against their upcoming opponents. The two teams met in the 2022 Libertadores, drawing 2-2 in Ecuador before Tolima secured a 1-0 victory in Ibagué. The Colombian side therefore remain unbeaten against Independiente del Valle in the competition.

CONMEBOL Libertadores

How To Watch Deportes Tolima vs. Ind. del Valle

Sebastián Oliveros Prepares His Starting XI

Neto Volpi is expected to start in goal for Tolima in one of the Colombian club's biggest matches of the season.

Jherson Mosquera, Jan Angulo, Yordan Osorio and Junior Hernández are projected to form the back line, with Sebastián Guzmán and Homer Martínez providing balance in midfield.

Further forward, Oliveros is expected to turn to Edwar López, Luis Sánchez and Kelvin Flórez, with Adrián Parra leading the attack.

Deportes Tolima Possible Lineup

Barring any late changes, Tolima are expected to field a lineup combining the defensive solidity they have displayed at home with players capable of creating problems in the final third.

Deportes Tolima possible XI: Neto Volpi; Jherson Mosquera, Jan Angulo, Yordan Osorio, Junior Hernández; Sebastián Guzmán, Homer Martínez, Edwar López, Luis Sánchez, Kelvin Flórez, Adrián Parra.

Head coach: Sebastián Oliveros.

Tolima Look to Rewrite Their Round of 16 History

This will be only the second time Deportes Tolima have competed in the Copa Libertadores Round of 16.

Their previous appearance came in 2022 and ended painfully, with Flamengo eliminating the Colombian side by an 8-1 aggregate score.

Four years later, El Pijao have another opportunity to reach the quarterfinals and will look to build their qualification bid at Estadio Manuel Murillo Toro before traveling to Ecuador for the second leg.

Independiente del Valle Will Provide a Major Test

Tolima will face one of the continent's most in-form teams. Independiente del Valle arrive in Ibagué riding a 13-match unbeaten run across all competitions.

The Ecuadorian side also enter the game after a 3-2 victory over Delfín, having previously recorded wins against Liga de Quito and Deportivo Cuenca.

Tolima will therefore need to maintain their impressive home form if they hope to take an advantage to Ecuador and move closer to a historic quarterfinal appearance.