The Nicaragua Primera Division continues on Thursday with one of the biggest matches of the season. Managua FC welcome Real Estelí to the Estadio Olímpico del IND as the top two teams in the league meet.
The hosts begin the game sitting top of the table on 28 points while the visitors are just 2 points behind them on 26, so there is all to play for in this game.
Managua FC come into this match on the back of a 2-1 victory against Diriangen last weekend. Despite being the league leaders, Managua FC did not have things all their own way in the game and needed a stoppage-time winning goal from substitute Mike Cruz to seal maximum points. That result was their 4th consecutive league win.
In fact, Managua FC are undefeated in their last 7 matches in all competitions, winning 6 of those games. Their home record is very good and Managua FC are undefeated in their last 14 home matches is in all competitions. That includes each of their last 12 in the Primera Division and all of the last 6 have ended in victory.
Trends show both teams scored in 6 of Managua FC's last 8 league games, including each of their last 4 at home. They have been very exciting to watch at the Estadio Olímpico del IND, seeing over 2.5 goals in each of those 4 matches.
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Real Estelí know they at least need to avoid defeat in this game or they will fall 5 points behind their opponents. They secured a narrow 1-0 victory against bottom club Deportivo Las Sabanas last time out and although it wasn’t a great performance, they got the job done to claim the points.
That win means Real Estelí have won each of their last 4 games in the Primera Division and have kept the pressure on the leaders. However, 3 of those 4 victories came at home with only one coming on the road which was against Deportivo Ocotal on the 25th of March. Their away record shows just one win in their last 4 attempts in all competitions.
Real Estelí have won only 3 of their last 12 away league games although those 3 victories have come in their last 5 attempts. Trends show they have scored two goals in 3 of their last 5 away matches but have managed to keep just one clean sheet in the last 4.
Team news and Managua FC will be without Brazilian midfielder Christiano who is suspended following his sending off in the previous game. Pablo Gállego is set to start in midfield.
Real Estelí could make a change to the team which started their previous match with Luis Acuna coming in to replace Luis Lopez. Acuna has 4 goals to his name this season.
This should be a very entertaining game to watch, with both teams finding the back of the net. However, it is difficult to split them and we could see the game end level.