ZESCO United vs NAPSA Stars Prediction: League leaders have to protect their lead

ZESCO United will take on struggling NAPSA Stars at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. The two teams could not secure a win last weekend against their respective opponents. How will things turn out here? Below, I will preview this game and make betting opportunities available. 

ZESCO United were held to a draw the previous time out and will hope for a win this time. In that encounter, ZESCO United saw a 70th-minute Samson Ngoma lead overturned by Abel Nyirongo's strike just three minutes before the end of the full time. However, this team has not lost their last three games. In that run, they defeated Mutondo Stars and drew Lumwana Radiants. 

In fact, ZESCO United have won three of their last five games. In that run, they defeated Indeni and Power Dynamos. In that run, ZESCO United scored five goals, while conceding two. This season, ZESCO United have accumulated 31 points from 17 matches, leaving them seated at the top of the standings. 

NAPSA Stars played Mutondo Stars the previous time out and settled for a draw. In that encounter, Mutondo Stars took the lead in the 38th minute, but a last-minute strike by Tresor Ilunga was enough to see this team avoid a defeat. In the meantime, NAPSA Stars have not won any of their last six matches. In that run, this team lost three while drawing three. 

NAPSA Stars head into this game with one win in their last five away games, defeating Zanaco. However, other encounters saw them lose to Power Dynamos while drawing Kabwe Warriors and Indeni. This season, NAPSA Stars have 19 points from 17 matches, leaving them seated in the 14th spot. 

The last meetings between these sides ended in a win for ZESCO United. In fact, the visiting NAPSA Stars' last win in this game was in 2022. The last four matches of this fixture have ended with less than three goals.

ZESCO United have been dominant in this fixture, and I expect a similar outcome. While the NAPSA Stars have failed to win this fixture since 2022, ZESCO United's form this season shows they have no chance of winning this one either. While the two sides have prioritized defensive play in recent meetings, I expect this one to be close, with the two teams showing solid play. Take the home team, however, to win as favourites, while NAPSA Stars concede twice.