Preview: Troubled hosts meet a compact away side in Sousse
Etoile du Sahel return to the Stade Olympique de Sousse on 28 August under the weight of an alarming set of results. Three league outings into the 2025/2026 campaign and the Carthage giants — at least by name — sit 15th with a single point, having failed to register a win, scored just once and conceded four. Recent scorelines paint a grim picture: a goalless draw away at Ben Guerdane followed by home defeats to Club Africain and JS Omrane earlier in August. Home statistics back up the concerns; Etoile have yet to score at home this season while conceding one, and their shot volume and attacking averages suggest they can create opportunities but struggle to turn them into clear-cut chances and goals.
AS Gabès head north to Sousse smelling of confidence. Positioned 8th in the early table and unbeaten in the league so far, Gabès have combined solidity with efficiency. Their last three results include two goalless draws and a solid 2-1 victory over AS Marsa, and their defensive numbers stand out: two clean sheets in away outings and only one goal conceded across their league matches. The head-to-head from March underlines the visitors’ ability to cause problems for Etoile — a 2-0 victory for AS Gabès when they hosted their rivals earlier in the season serves as both evidence and psychological edge.
Tactical narrative: low-scoring patterns and defensive edges
What emerges from the data is a clash of contrasts: Etoile du Sahel showing attacking intent but poor end-product and a brittle run of form, versus AS Gabès offering a compact, defensively disciplined approach that translates into clean sheets and narrow wins. Etoile’s averages for corners and dangerous attacks indicate they press and probe, but their inability to find the net at home raises questions about finishing and chance creation in the final third. Meanwhile, AS Gabès’ lower shot averages are compensated by clinical defending and efficient transitions that have produced points without exposing themselves to many threats.
Betting suggestion
Given the trends — Etoile’s struggle to score at home, AS Gabès’ string of clean sheets and the head-to-head 2-0 win earlier this year — the most convincing market here is the 1X2. Backing AS Gabès to win looks the most logical play: an away victory aligns with form, defensive solidity and recent direct meetings between the teams. Stake sensibly and consider keeping the stake modest given early-season volatility, but on form and numbers AS Gabès to win is the recommended bet for this fixture.
