Bahir Dar target third place, Hawassa and Sidama struggle

Bahir Dar City, who finished a close second to St George last season, will hope to secure third spot when they face Hawassa City.

The penultimate week of the 2023/24 Ethiopian Premier League season begins on Friday at Hawassa University Stadium.

In the first match of the week, Bahir Dar City are the designated home team but they face Hawassa City who are in fact playing 'away' at home.

Bahir Dar City are the only team which have been unbeaten in the last 14 league matches.

Degeareg Yigzaw's team are in fourth place on the log with 49 points.

Firew Solomon will not be available for this match as he is banned for one match due to his recent yellow card.

Hawassa City have been struggling for form as they have only won once in their last five matches.

Best Player of the Season nominee Ali Suleiman will expect to increase his goal tally.

He is currently leading the goal-scoring charts with 17 goals.

The team conceded goals in their last six matches and have the second worse defensive record for goals conceded after Hambericho Durame.

In the other match of the day, Dire Dawa City will face Sidama Coffee.

Dire Dawa Kenema are in 8th position with 40 points.

They were beaten 3-1 last week by Hadiya Hosaena after two consecutive wins.

Sidama Coffee won one of their last five league matches and like their neighbours, Hawassa City, Zelalem Shiferaw's team have been unable to exploit home advantage.

The team is in 12th spot with 34 points.