Contents
- Competition: Ethiopia Premier League
- Date: 15th June 2026
- Kick-off: 11:00 UK / 12:00 CEST
- Venue: Hawassa International Stadium
A significant Ethiopia Premier League matchup awaits on Monday afternoon as Negele Arsi Ketema welcomes rivals Hawassa City. On paper, the hosts may appear to hold the edge. They boast the stronger league position, sitting third in the standings. Recent head-to-head form, however, suggests this contest could be far more balanced than those numbers imply. Hawassa comfortable claimed a 2-0 victory in their last meeting. In this preview, we’ll examine each team's current momentum, the key tactical battles, and the betting opportunities that stand out most.
Negele Arsi Ketema vs Awassa Kenema Head to Head (H2H) stats
-
Awassa Kenema
2 : 0
Negele Arsi Ketema
Premier League
There has been only one recent meeting between these two sides. Hawassa City won that encounter 2-0. The match took place at the Hawassa International Stadium, giving them a significant hometown advantage.
Negele Arsi Ketema team overview
Negele Arsi Ketema prepares for this one on the back of a hard-fought 0-0 away draw against Wolaitta Dicha S.C.
The Oromia Giants are experiencing an incredibly defensive run of form, recording consecutive goalless draws in their most recent domestic outings.
Seid Chernet's men will look to rediscover their attacking spark at the Hawassa International Stadium, where they have built an impressive five-match unbeaten streak as the designated home team, highlighted by a dominant 3-0 victory over Dire Dawa City last month.
Leading forward Bizuneh K., who tops the club’s goal contribution charts with key clinical strikes this season, remains their main man and primary threat in the final third.
However, the hosts face a notable selection dilemma as their influential starting central midfielder remains a critical absentee due to a lingering ankle injury.
Last matches of Negele Arsi Ketema
-
Welayta Dicha
0 : 0
Negele Arsi Ketema
Premier League
-
Negele Arsi Ketema
0 : 0
Shire Endaselassie
Premier League
-
Mechal FC
4 : 0
Negele Arsi Ketema
Premier League
-
Negele Arsi Ketema
3 : 0
Dire Dawa Kenema
Premier League
-
Welwalo Adigrat Uni
1 : 2
Negele Arsi Ketema
Premier League
Negele Arsi Ketema lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Abel Mamo
Defenders
-
2
Suleiman Hamid
-
4
Aschalew Tamene
-
5
Git Gatkuoth
-
12
Henok Adugna
Midfielders
-
6
Alelegn Azene
-
8
Yiech Gach
-
17
Wondmeneh Dereje
Forwards
-
11
Chernet Gugsa
-
19
Habtamu Tadesse
-
9
Bizuneh K.
Hawassa team overview
Hawassa Kenema enters this one on the back of a crucial 1-0 home victory against Hambericho Durame.
The Lakers have enjoyed a steady patch of domestic form, remaining completely unbeaten in three of their last five league fixtures.
Zerihun Shengeta's men have notoriously struggled on the road, losing each of their last three away fixtures, and are now winless in their last seven away games.
Dynamic forward Ali Sulieman, who spearheads the club's offensive charge with 8 goals and 3 assists this season, is their main man and a constant threat to opposition defenses.
However, the visitors will have to navigate this tactical clash without a vital midfield asset, as experienced playmaker Yosef Tarekegn is a notable absentee from the squad due to a recurring hamstring injury.
Last matches of Awassa Kenema
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Awassa Kenema
1 : 0
Ethiopia Bunna
Premier League
-
Kedus Giorgis
1 : 0
Awassa Kenema
Premier League
-
Awassa Kenema
0 : 0
Arba Minch Kenema
Premier League
-
Hadiya Hosaena
1 : 0
Awassa Kenema
Premier League
-
Awassa Kenema
1 : 1
Sheger Ketema
Premier League
Awassa Kenema lineup
Goalkeeper
-
29
Said Habtamu
Defenders
-
2
Mujib Kassim
-
15
Lawrence Lartey
-
3
Desta Yohannes
-
13
Ramadan Yusef
Midfielders
-
6
Wondmagegn Maereg
-
21
Essael Tekle
-
10
Tafesse Solomon
Forwards
-
7
Ephrem Ashamo
-
11
Richmond Adongo
-
23
Ali Sulieman
Prediction
Despite Negele Arsi Ketema’s superior league position, their current four-match goalless drought severely limits their attacking threat. Compounding this, visiting Hawassa Kenema has failed to score in four of their last five away assignments. With both clubs missing key midfield playmakers due to injury, a heavily stagnant tactical affair is highly anticipated. Expect a low-risk encounter at the Hawassa International Stadium, securely backing a 0-0 draw.
Three reasons we expect under 2.5 goals in this clash
- Hawassa failed to score in four of their last five away matches.
- Negele have not scored in each of their last four matches.
- The last meeting between the two finished with just two goals.
Main prediction Negele Arsi Ketema - Awassa Kenema
Under 2.5 goals
Negele Arsi Ketema vs Awassa Kenema standings in Premier League
| Regular Season | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sidama Bunna | 34 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 39 - 20 | +19 | 61 |
| 2 | Negele Arsi Ketema | 34 | 13 | 14 | 7 | 32 - 25 | +7 | 53 |
| 3 | Mechal FC | 34 | 12 | 15 | 7 | 42 - 28 | +14 | 51 |
| 4 | Awassa Kenema | 34 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 33 - 27 | +6 | 48 |
| 5 | Mebrat Hayl | 34 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 27 - 22 | +5 | 47 |
| 6 | Bahardar | 34 | 9 | 19 | 6 | 26 - 23 | +3 | 46 |
| 7 | Ethiopia Bunna | 34 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 36 - 37 | -1 | 46 |
| 8 | Kedus Giorgis | 34 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 28 - 30 | -2 | 46 |
| 9 | Fasil Ketema | 34 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 24 - 27 | -3 | 46 |
| 10 | Welayta Dicha | 34 | 9 | 17 | 8 | 32 - 29 | +3 | 44 |
| 11 | Ethiopia Nigd Bank | 34 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 40 - 38 | +2 | 43 |
| 12 | Sheger Ketema | 33 | 9 | 16 | 8 | 30 - 28 | +2 | 43 |
| 13 | Hadiya Hosaena | 34 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 29 - 33 | -4 | 43 |
| 14 | Welwalo Adigrat Uni | 34 | 9 | 14 | 11 | 30 - 34 | -4 | 41 |
| 15 | Ethiopian Medhin | 33 | 8 | 16 | 9 | 28 - 26 | +2 | 40 |
| 16 | Adama Kenema | 34 | 8 | 15 | 11 | 30 - 34 | -4 | 39 |
| 17 | Shire Endaselassie | 34 | 8 | 14 | 12 | 21 - 28 | -7 | 38 |
| 18 | Mekelle Kenema | 34 | 7 | 15 | 12 | 27 - 33 | -6 | 36 |
| 19 | Dire Dawa Kenema | 34 | 7 | 14 | 13 | 21 - 39 | -18 | 35 |
| 20 | Arba Minch Kenema | 34 | 6 | 14 | 14 | 27 - 41 | -14 | 32 |