Nicaragua Primera Division Odds & Picks: Clausura Matchday 18

• Five Saturday fixtures in Nicaragua Primera Division in final regular season weekend
• Walter Ferretti on four-game winning streak as they meet leaders Managua
• See all odds and best bets for Nicaragua Primera Division Clausura Matchday 18

Nicaragua is still staging league soccer during the global coronavirus crisis with the final round of regular season fixtures taking place at 5:00 pm EST on Saturday.

Places in the end-of-season playoffs are up for grabs in the 10-team Primera Division Clausura competition, which runs from January until May.

The top two teams are handed a bye into a two-legged playoff semifinal. The clubs which finish from third to sixth enter a two-legged quarterfinal playoff.

There has been much focus on Nicaraguan soccer during the big shut-down elsewhere although fearful players have admitted they are trying to avoid physical contact during matches.

Nicaragua Clausura Odds

Odds taken Apr. 17

Pick 1: Managua vs Walter Ferretti

The competition’s two in-form sides meet when leaders Managua are at home against fourth-placed Walter Ferretti in the final round of regular season fixtures.

Books price a victory for Managua at -116 with a win for Walter Ferretti at +200.

However, a draw between these two consistent and well-performing sides looks the best value at +245 on April 18, Estadio Nacional, Managua, at 5:00 pm EST.

Managua are five points ahead of second-placed Real Esteli after a run of three straight wins.

Walter Ferretti have been on an excellent streak with four consecutive victories hoisting them into fourth pace.

Managua are undefeated at home with a record of seven wins and one draw.

They are guaranteed a place in the playoff quarterfinals while Managua are sure of a place in the semifinals.

Managua are undefeated at home with a record of seven wins and one draw.

Against that, Walter Ferretti have the fourth-best away record in the competition with three wins, two draws and three defeats.

Their fine recent streak began with a 1-0 home win against Real Esteli – currently second placed – before a 4-0 home win against Real Madriz.

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— Sagar Biswas (@SagarBhiswas) April 5, 2020

Then came a 1-0 away win against Deportvo Ocotal before last Thursday’s home 2-1 win against current bottom club Deportivo Las Sabanas.

There was a thumping 6-1 win for Managua against Municipal Jalapa last midweek with a 1-0 win against Las Sabanas and a 2-1 win against Deportivo Ocotal before that.

Pick: Draw +245

Pick 2: Diriangen  vs Real Madriz

Third-placed Diriangen are level on 32 points with second-placed Real Esteli as the battle for the second semifinal berth goes down to the wire.

Diriangen are at home against Real Madriz and will be fired up to seek an impressive win in the chase for a top two finish on April 18, Esadio Cacique, Diriamba, at 5:00 pm EST.

They are priced at -278 for a win with Madriz at +420 and the draw at +330.

But perhaps the best value is the spread offer of +117 for Diriangen to win by two goals or more as they seek a vital win and hope Esteli stumble against Jalapa.

Diriangen have won six of their last seven league games at home and have been beaten only once on their own patch.

Real Madriz have the league’s worst away form with seven defeats and only one win.

They have scored 13 goals at their own HQ while conceding only three times.

By contrast, Real Madriz have the league’s worst away form with seven defeats and only one win.

Although they defeated Chinandega 2-0 in their most recent game, eighth-placed Real Madriz conceded six times in the two prior defeats by Juventus Managua and Walter Ferretti.

The #COVID crisis has affected virtually every professional football league in the world. Nicaragua's Liga Primera is virtually the last Latin American league to still be playing despite ongoing concerns. https://t.co/13FiB5hXsA

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They have conceded 18 goals on the road while hitting the net only four times.

Diriangen have drawn twice and won once in their most recent three fixtures.

Their last game was a goalless draw away against semifinal rivals Real Esteli.

Pick: Diriangen -1½ (+117)

Pick 3: Chinandega vs Deportivo Ocotal

Chinandega are priced at an inviting +210 win at home against Deportivo Ocotal with the ninth-placed visitors surprisingly rated as favorites at -122. The draw is +250.

There is value here because seventh-placed Chinandega know that a win could land them a top six playoff place on April 18, at Estadio La Veranera, La Veranera at 5:00 pm EST.

They have lost only three times in their last 10 home game in all competitions. By contrast, Ocotal have lost seven of their last nine away matches in the Clausura.

The odds may have been influenced by Ocotal’s 1-0 win against Juventus Managua last Thursday – although it was their first victory in eight Clausura matches.

The fact that Chinandega have lost their last three games will also have influenced the price.

In this campaign, Chinandega have won four times at home while drawing once and losing three times while Deportivo Ocotal have lost four of their last five road trip dates.

Pick: Chinandega +210