Club Africain vs Esperance ST Prediction: This Derby game will give room for both teams to express themselves

On Sunday, Club Africain will make the decision of either playing in the continental tournament next season or try again next year when they host Esperance ST at the Stade Olympique Hamadi Agrebi Stadium. This is a Derby game that has a history of being one of the best atmospheres in Tunisian football. It’s a sold-out stadium, and we expect the guests to put off their CAF Champions League failure and concentrate on winning the Tunisia Ligue One trophy. 

Last five games: LDDLL

The hosts are the worst team in this round this season, having gone seven games with just a victory. Club African parted ways with their coach as they appointed Faouzi Benzarti, who has vast experience in Tunisian football. 

Unfortunately, the hosts will not return to the continental tournament, failing to win any of their last five matches. More recently, they suffered another setback away from home, becoming the first team to concede four goals in a game in this campaign. It was one of their first and most significant losses since January last year. 

They currently occupy the last spot on the log with the hope of playing CAF Champions League football next season. Club African have won once, drawn a game and lost once over their last three matches at home. 

Last five games: WDDLW

Al Taraji head here after failing to defeat Al Ahly in the return leg of the CAF Champions League final. They lost by just a goal in what happened to be an unfair loss against the most successful team in the history of the tournament. Before then, Esperance ST had triumphed over Etoile du Sahel on their ground in the league. 

For the fourth consecutive league game, Esperance ST were unable to keep a clean sheet. Al Taraji are in pole position to defend their title, and a win here would see them win the league before the league wraps up. 

Esperance ST have managed just a win over their last three games on the road. 

Over their previous twenty meetings, Club Africain have won four while Esperance ST have managed eleven victories and five games ending in a share of the spoils. It’s strange to see Club Africain struggle lately despite keeping their key players during winter transfer and adding some quality to the squad. However, they have appointed a pretty experienced manager who will kick off his league campaign against his former team, Esperance ST. At the same time, we are not confident the guests have fully recovered from their recent defeat in the final of the CAF Champions League. 

With the host team trying to play continental football and Esperance wanting to retain the title, both teams have a stern test ahead of this weekend's Derby game. Esperance ST have failed to keep a clean sheet over their last four matches, and we think this game will give room for both teams to express themselves; bet on a total of over 2.5 goals for 2.85.

We expect Esperance ST to win before the break, as we think the hosts lack the depth and confidence to challenge them.

We also think both teams will get a goal apiece here for 2.50.

Good luck!