Walter Ferretti vs Deportivo Las Sabanas Predictions

• Walter Ferretti have won four of their last five home matches, losing only to Nicaragua Clausura leaders Managua
• Deportivo Las Sabanas have picked up just one point from their last six away league matches
• Walter Ferretti have won all three meetings across the Apertura and Clausura this season

Ambitious Ferretti eyeing playoff push

Walter Ferretti have an outside chance of receiving a bye to the semi-finals of the Nicaragua Clausura playoffs and are likely to prove too strong when they host relegation-threatened Deportivo Las Sabanas at the National Stadium.

The hosts are fourth in the Clausura with two matches remaining of the regular season and need plenty to fall their way if they are to make the top two.

Second and third-placed Real Esteli and Diriangen face each other later on Wednesday evening and only a draw in that contest would keep Ferretti’s unlikely top-two ambitions alive.

But they have given it a good go in recent weeks, putting together a run or four wins from their last five matches to rise up the standings. However, it looks as if they will just fall short.

Ferretti are already assured of a playoff quarter-final place at the very least but will be motivated by the opportunity to qualify for the Concacaf League.

They are three points adrift of the top two in the aggregate standings – a combination of the 2019 Apertura and 2020 Clausura tables – with a top-two finish and a Concacaf League place a realistic possibility.

In this fixture, it’s hard to argue that they deserve to be anything other than firm favourites.

Ferretti have picked up 17 of their 27 points in home games this season and are Nicaragua’s leading Clausura scorers with 29 goals in 16 matches including 21 on their own patch.

They are on a run of four victories from five games at the National Stadium, beating Chinandega 7-0 and Real Madriz 4-0 in comprehensive recent wins.

Visitors struggling to avoid relegation

Las Sabanas, on the other hand, are sinking fast. 

After making the playoffs of the Apertura at the end of last year, they have just 11 Clausura points and are just about keeping their heads above the relegation places in the aggregate table.

The visitors were on a losing run of five matches away from home before drawing with bottom club Deportivo Ocotal last week. 

They have the worst defensive record in the Clausura this season, conceding 28 goals in 16 matches, and a clash with Ferretti, who have won all three meetings across the two leagues this season, rates a much tougher task.

Henry Urbina’s hosts have led at half-time in four of their last five matches while Las Sabanas have failed to score in four of their last six away games in all competitions. Expect Ferretti to strike early and stay in front.