In the early hours of Thursday, Real Esteli host Diriangen in a big game at the top of the Nicaraguan Primera Division.
The teams are currently second and third place in the table respectively, with only a superior goal difference keeping the home side in second. However, both teams are five points behind league leaders Managua.
The home side hit a slight bump in the road before winning 3-1 at Chinandega last time out. The victory ended a three-game winless run in the Nicaraguan top-flight for Holver Flores’ team.
The victory also ended a run of low-scoring games, as the previous four league games had produced under 2.5 goals.
Real Esteli have built their good season on a strong home record, as the home side are unbeaten in six games on home soil, having recorded four victories. A solid defensive record has been the key to the recent good home record, as they have kept clean sheets in five of their last six matches on home soil.
Diriangen’s recent form in the Primera Division has been inconsistent of late, as they have won just two of their last six league matches. Last time out the visitors drew 0-0 at Municipal Jalapa. The match ended a run of four straight league games that had produced over 2.5 goals for the visitors.
Diriangen have been poor travellers this season, as they head into this game on the back of a four-game winless run on their travels in the Nicaraguan top-flight, having picked up two draws and suffered two defeats.
Their recent away matches in the Primera Division have been relatively low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in four of their last six matches on the road.
Forebet predicts that Real Esteli will continue their good recent home record by recording a victory in a low-scoring encounter.