Managua FC vs. Deportivo Ocotal Odds, Prediction, and Pick – Liga Primera de Nicaragua, April 8

Top of the table Managua is already assured of a playoff place but will want to pick up as many points as possible over the next four games to ensure a top-two finish. That would see the capital city club qualify directly for the semifinals and be in touching distance of the Clausura season title.

Three points from a Deportivo Ocotal side at the other end of the table should be achievable. But head coach Emilio Aburto will know that his side lost in the reverse fixture earlier in the season and not to treat this game as a foregone conclusion.

You can learn more about my expectations in this Managua FC vs. Deportivo Ocotal betting preview.

Even with that surprise win for Ocotal earlier in the year, BetOnline is going big on Managua to come away with the points here. It is hard to argue with that viewpoint, considering that game was the last one the home side lost this season. The prices for a draw or an Ocotal win may look enticing, but there doesn’t seem to be much to back them up.

After losing to Ocotal at the start of March, Managua has won five and drawn three as it has climbed the table to sit at its current position, looking down on everyone else. But two of those draws have come in the last two games, so maybe there has been a slight dip in form.

One of the opponents in those games was Real Esteli, however, and that is a club looking to repeat its Apertura title for a season double.

Managua’s recent story of success looks to be continuing. The 2018 Clausura title was almost followed up by the 2019 Apertura before Esteli claimed its top-dog status. It looks as though those two might battle it out again, and Ocotal might just be another easy win on the way to that showdown for Managua.

For Ocotal, it is a case of looking for positives when results have not been going its way. The draw with Las Sabanas last time out was the first point in five games, but that is about all that is going well at the moment. Those four defeats in a row came against some of the better sides, though, so there could be the chance of better results before the end of the season.

The main problem for Ocotal has been scoring goals. Although the defense is just about on par with the majority of the teams at the bottom of the table, it falls behind at the other end of the pitch, managing just nine goals all year. Ocotal’s strikers may not get much of a chance to change that record here.

The odds don’t look good, but there would seem to be no way that Managua won’t pick up another three points here. Deportivo Ocotal has not looked very impressive all season, and this fixture is surely just another stepping stone for the league leaders as it moves forward to the end-of-season playoffs.

There are four other midweek games in the Nicaragua Primera Division this week, and I’ve written betting previews for each of them.