Prediction: Esbjerg to win
In the rescheduled fixture of the 16th round of the Danish 1st Division, Esbjerg hosts the bottom side Middelfart at the Blue Water Arena. The home team sits 6th after 15 rounds, right on the edge of the promotion group, and every point has crucial importance for them. They have collected three wins and two draws from their last five home games, regularly finding the back of the net – most recently beating B93 Copenhagen 3–2. Their attack, led by Lasse Vigen and Muamer Brajanac, has shown solid form, while the defence, though occasionally conceding, remains steady in decisive moments. Middelfart, on the other hand, arrive with a miserable record – they have yet to win away this season, losing five of their seven away matches and conceding twelve goals while scoring just three. They have also failed to score in their last three away fixtures, perfectly illustrating their current impotence in attack. Even with a fully fit squad, their tactical organisation and confidence are at rock bottom. Esbjerg knows that victory could lift them up to second place and strengthen their position in the promotion group. Given the home form, superior squad quality and motivation, there seems little doubt that the hosts will take all three points.
Prediction: JS El Omrane to win
At the Chedly Zouiten Stadium, two teams from the lower half of the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 table face off, though with differing dynamics. The home side, JS El Omrane, sits ninth with 16 points and aims to distance themselves from the relegation zone, while Olympique Béja, mired in a series of defeats, occupy last place. El Omrane may have suffered a heavy 0–4 loss away to Espérance Tunis, but their home record remains steady – five goals scored and three matches unbeaten in their last six. The key figure is forward Habib Taha, who has a knack for scoring crucial goals and represents the main offensive threat. Béja are enduring a desperate spell, having lost three consecutive matches by a combined score of 0–9. Their defence looks shaky, particularly when defending set pieces, and their attack is virtually toothless – just eight goals in thirteen rounds tells the whole story. Although the team travels with a full squad, their tactical cohesion and morale are at a critical low. The hosts possess greater energy, quicker passing and a stronger desire to make amends after last week’s humiliation. If they reproduce the form shown in the victory against JS Kairouanaise, this should be a one-sided affair.