- Atletico Nacional are a heavy favorite to win the opening game of the 2026 Apertura.
- Since the turn of the millennium, Nacional have won 25 times against Chicó (Chicó have won 7).
- Nacional ended 2025 on a high, going unbeaten in the knock-out stages of the Copa BetPlay to win the competition.
Chicó’s survival mission kicks off
Saturday’s Primera A 2026 opener between Atletico Nacional de Medellin and Boyacá Chicó at the Atanasio Girardot will see the defending Copa BetPlay holders seeking to make a statement of title intent as Chicó’s fight for survival begins. According to the Atletico Nacional de Medellin vs Boyaca Chico prediction, Nacional are the overwhelming favorites to start the season with a win at odds-on, with a draw being priced at 6.6 and Chicó a long shot, but the market is right.
Flabio Torres is a pragmatic coach that looks to set up his side to be as solid as possible at the back and to give his team a chance at survival in the top flight. Chicó’s strategy for surviving will be to be compact and sit in a low block, frustrating opponents and hoping to spring counter-attacks or exploit set-piece opportunities, which they will have more of when they’re playing on the back foot.
Chicó’s main goal threat is winger Johan Bocanegra, who has the pace and skill to drive at opposition defenders, and in Michael Gómez and Estéfano Arango they have some threat on the set pieces. However, they will need to dig deep for this clash as the Atletico Nacional de Medellin vs Boyaca Chico prediction indicates Nacional will dominate the ball and force them to sit deep in their own half.
Nacional to maintain Copa momentum
This Atletico Nacional de Medellin vs Boyaca Chico preview highlights how Nacional are a free-flowing attacking side that like to have the ball and dominate the tempo of the game. Diego Arias has brought stability and balance back to the side, having masterminded their unbeaten Copa BetPlay knockout campaign and helped them lift the trophy after a 1 - 0 final win, bringing out some exceptional performances from Alfredo Morelos, who has been a penalty-box predator in their recent head-to-heads.
Andrés Sarmiento starred for Nacional in their cup run, scoring some vital goals and hassling defenders with his relentless pressing as the only out-and-out number nine. Edwin Cardona and Marino Hinestroza add creativity and control from midfield and could unlock Chicó’s compact set-up.
Expect goals at the Atanasio
Nacional have absolutely dominated this fixture since the 2000s, winning 25 times to Chicó’s seven in all competitions, and that should be reflected in the full-time result as well. Even with the Atletico Nacional de Medellin vs Boyaca Chico betting tips leaning towards Nacional, Chicó do have the ability to pull a shock on rare occasions, but Nacional are coming into this matchup off the back of an incredible cup win and have more quality and depth in their squad.
A win for Nacional by two goals is the main selection, but there is also a chance that Chicó could nick a goal on the break. For this reason, Over 2.5 goals at 1.48 is the alternative selection, as there will be no shortage of attacking impetus from the hosts and recent meetings have been high-scoring. The final Atletico Nacional de Medellin vs Boyaca Chico prediction is that humid, overcast conditions in Medellin, with a slight risk of thunderstorms before kick-off could also play their part if the field becomes slightly softer for the hosts’ benefit.
