The 2019/20 Liga Primera de Nicaragua is one of only a handful of football leagues around the world which has continued playing during the coronavirus outbreak. The season is split into two parts and we have now entered the Clausura which will be played in the first half of 2020.
On Thursday we have two matches to look forward to beginning with the meeting between Diriangén FC and CD Walter Ferretti. This game will take place at the Estadio Cacique Diriangén with the hosts currently in 3rd place in the table, 4 points adrift of the leaders while the visitors are in 4th place, 10 points behind the leaders.
Diriangén FC have lost touch with Managua at the top of the table having failed to win any of their last 2 league games. Having been held to a 1-1 draw away from home against Deportivo Las Sabanas, Diriangén FC lost last time out against League leaders Managua, 2-1 away from home. Although both were disappointing results, arguably the draw at Deportivo Las Sabanas was the most disappointing of the two as they are currently bottom of the table.
However, Diriangén FC have still managed to win 7 out of their last 10 matches and are undefeated in their last 7 games at home. They have won 6 of those 7 matches including victories over Managua and Real Estelí, both of whom are currently above them in the table.
Trends show Diriangén FC have kept a clean sheet in all of their last 5 home Primera Division games.
CD Walter Ferretti come into this match having recorded a tremendous 7-0 win over Chinandega at home last time out. It was an important victory, not only because of the margin of the win but because it ended a run of three straight defeats for CD Walter Ferretti. They were defeated 1-0 at home by Managua before losing 2-0 and 4-1 at Municipal Jalapa and Juventus Managua respectively.
Away form shows 2 defeats in their last 6 games in all competitions but both of those defeats have come in their last two away trips. Trends show CD Walter Ferretti are undefeated in 26 of their last 31 away Primera Division games but they have kept only one clean sheet in their last 4 on the road.
Team news and Diriangén FC will be looking towards Danilo Zúñiga and José Bernardo Laureiro for goals. The pair have 8 goals between them this season. CD Walter Ferretti can call upon Mexican striker Fernando Villalpando who has 5 goals to his name, including a hattrick last time out.
Diriangén FC cannot afford to drop any more points having done so in their previous two games. They have a very good recent home record and are strong defensively when playing in-front of their own fans. Back Diriangén FC to win this match and keep a clean sheet in the process.