Ethiopia Nigd Bank vs Hawassa Prediction: Hosts to keep league title chase hopes on

Ethiopia Nigd Bank and Hawassa are set to face each other at the Dire Dawa International Stadium for this 21st game of the Ethiopia Premier League. Leading up to this match, the home team occupies the top position in the standings, whereas Hawassa is currently positioned 10th. Now, let's delve into the comprehensive match previews and formulate a prediction.

Ethiopia Nigd Bank bounced back from a three-game winless streak with a commanding 5-1 victory over Hambericho Durame at home. Despite trailing in the first half after Alazar Admasu scored for Hambericho Durame, Ethiopia Nigd Bank staged a remarkable comeback. They scored five goals against their opponents, with Addis Gidey finding the net twice from the penalty spot, while Simon Peter, Caleb Amankwah, and David Yohanis also contributed to the scoresheet. As they head into their next match, Ethiopia Nigd Bank finds themselves level on points with second-placed Defence Force. They have scored the highest number of goals in the league this season so far, with 37 goals in 20 games, while conceding 20 goals in the same period.

In their recent league match, Hawassa faced a defeat against Ethiopia Bunna, with the game concluding 3-2. At halftime, Hawassa found themselves trailing by two goals, as Mesfin Tafesse netted twice. However, a late surge from Hawassa in the last ten minutes saw Abdulbasit Kemal and Israel Eshetu both finding the back of the net, narrowing the deficit. Despite their efforts, poor defensive play led to Hawassa failing to secure even a single point, as they conceded a goal in the 90+7th minute, this time scored by Ramkel James for Ethiopia Bunna. Looking ahead to their upcoming game, Hawassa's recent form shows two wins, two losses, and one draw in their last five matches, during which they scored 11 goals and conceded nine.

This game holds significant importance for Ethiopia Nigd Bank, and I don't foresee them losing here. However, the visiting side appears capable of securing a victory, particularly given their strong offensive capabilities. Yet, the home team seems solid and should benefit from playing on their own turf. Both teams have displayed prowess in attack recently, and considering the outcome of their last two encounters, I anticipate this match ending with a flurry of goals.