Esperance ST vs Petro Luanda Prediction: The hosts can’t afford to drop points on their ground

On Saturday, Esperance ST will face off against Petro Luanda at the Stade Hamadi Arabi Stadium. The hosts will be careful against the visitors who played against arch-rival Etoile du Sahel a few days ago, coming off with a commanding result in Tunisia. Esperance ST can’t afford to drop points on their ground and must be meticulous against the darts of Petro Luanda.

The Blood and Gold began their run with a comfortable (2-0) victory over arch-rival Etoile du Sahel. However, they suffered a heavy defeat in Tanzania against Al Hilal Omurdman. Esperance ST suffered from two defensive errors before the break as they conceded from the spot and committed an own goal to gift the hosts the lead. They began with higher intensity after the break and finally got a goal in the 59th minute but were later punished when Al Hilal extended the lead for Al Hilal in the 78th minute. 

Taraji are the most successful team in the Tunisia Professional League, with thirty-one (31) league titles. They have won the Tunisia Cup fifteen times while securing the Tunisia Super Cup six times. They have triumphed in the CAF Champions League four times and are the second most successful side in the competition's history. They dropped to the third spot on the standing, and a defeat here might hinder their chance of making it out of the group.

The visitors have had a decent start to this tournament, with two wins in two games. After their slim (1-0) victory over Al Hilal in their opening game, they scored twice against Etoile du Sahel in Tunisia to secure their second victory. Petro Luanda are yet to concede in this tournament, and it’s due to their five man defence.

Petro Luanda sit comfortably at the top of the log, picking up six points from a combined six. 

Esperance ST head here with a poor display on the road against Al Hilal, conceding a penalty and scoring an own goal. They can’t afford to make the same mistake here, as they will be punished duly by Petro Luanda, who are extraordinarily talented and formidable. This isn’t as easy as it seems as we think the visitors stand a chance here. We expect a tough contest between both sides at halftime, which might end in a halftime draw for 2.15.

Of course, Esperance will have all the support on their ground and they’ll definitely secure the maximum points for 1.50.

Lastly, we expect to see less than two goals here for 1.83.

Good luck!