ASEC Mimosas vs Esperance Tunis Prediction: Mimosas expected to make it to the next round

Esperance is on a quest for their fifth CAF Champions League title, which brings them to Ivory Coast for the semifinal return leg against ASEC Mimosas. Having ended the first leg in a 0-0 draw, the Tunisians are not in a particularly strong position. Will ASEC Mimosas be able to exploit their home advantage?

Although ASEC Mimosas showed resilience by avoiding defeat on the road, their current position cannot be deemed strong. Their recent form has been lackluster, with just one victory in their last seven matches and a failure to score in three of their last four outings. Their offensive struggles are evident, as they've managed only two goals in their past 10 matches. Despite this, ASEC Mimosas demonstrated strength at home during the group stages, securing seven out of a possible nine points. They approach this match with optimism for a victory, as they remain unbeaten in their last five home Champions League matches, winning four of them. However, their matches have been characterized by low scoring, with eight out of 10 seeing under 2.5 goals. Similarly, seven of their last 10 away matches in the Champions League have also resulted in under 2.5 goals.

Esperance Tunis is eager to claim another African title, having last won it in 2019, but the odds are not stacked in their favor. They've struggled at home in the Champions League, failing to win for the sixth time in eight matches, which could prove troublesome in this encounter. Their opponents boast a strong home record, meaning Esperance must perform at their peak. Although they arrive here unbeaten in 13 matches, the unpredictable nature of these games leaves room for uncertainty. Conscious of ASEC Mimosas' home prowess, the North Africans will also rely on their own impressive away form. With three consecutive away victories leading up to this match, including a challenging Champions League fixture against Etoile du Sahel, Esperance remains formidable on the road. However, they have suffered four defeats in their last 10 away matches in the CAF Champions League. Similar to ASEC, Esperance's Champions League fixtures have been characterized by low scoring, with seven out of their last 10 away matches in the competition ending with under 2.5 goals. This trend extends to nine out of their last 10 matches in all competitions.

Neither of these teams excel in attack, as evidenced by their goalless draw in the first leg, highlighting their defensive prowess. ASEC Mimosas, in particular, struggled to find the net in their last three Champions League matches. Similarly, Esperance Tunis has had difficulty scoring in three out of their last five fixtures in the competition. Considering their conservative approach away from home, it's unlikely they will push aggressively for goals. ASEC Mimosas has historically performed well at home in the Champions League, suggesting they will be formidable opponents in this encounter. Therefore, I anticipate a low-scoring affair between the two sides.