LEAKED REPORTS: Don’t expect big names today. Danlad, Muntari, Barnieh?
The standout Ghana Premier League fixture this weekend takes region at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday afternoon, as Asante Kotoko face Hearts of Oak in the Super Clash.
Five places and 13 points separate the two bitter competitors in the table, with the hosts searching for to steer clear of second-placed Bechem United at the top while the reigning champions goal to re-ignite their title pursuit.
Kotoko are unbeaten in seven video games in the pinnacle flight and gained their most latest match, a 1-0 victory over neighborhood competitors King Faisal.
The Porcupine Warriors haven’t misplaced for the reason that February 7, 2022, when they had been startled by means of the bottom-placed Elmina Sharks.
This season, Kotoko have received more points and scored extra dreams than any other team. They have 35 goals, 14 more than their opponents on Sunday.
Their two predominant strikers, Cameroonians Mbella Etouga and Mfegue Omgba, have been outstanding, scoring a mixed 25 desires – the same quantity as the whole Hearts of Oak team.
Fabio Gama has recovered from injury and used to be in the thick of matters in remaining Sunday’s victory. The Brazilian will nearly surely be exceeded an vital position with the aid of coach Dr Prosper Ogum against the Phobians.
While Kotoko is cruising to their twenty fifth league title, Hearts, who won the league closing season, are desperately attempting to end in the top four.
They boosted their hopes with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Medeama remaining weekend in Accra, and they hope to beat Kotoko to reap back-to-back victories for the second time this season.
Hearts are paying the charge for a shaky start. They are thirteen factors in the back of Kotoko and understand that only a miracle can see them overtake Kotoko and clinch the title for the 22nd time after ending their decade-long wait final season.
During the week, the Phobians announced the signing of former Asante Kotoko defender Samuel Inkoom, with reports claiming the former Ghana international should make his debut on Sunday.
Meanwhile, their skilled midfielder Sulley Muntari is out after lacking all of the coaching this week for unknown reasons.
This is their 0.33 meeting of the season. Surprisingly, the high-flying Kotoko failed to beat Hearts in the previous two. The first assembly ended 0-0 earlier than Patrick Razak stimulated the Phobians to a 2-1 victory in the President’s Cup.
Furthermore, Kotoko have not overwhelmed Hearts of Oak due to the fact that Samuel Boadu took over as the latter’s head coach.
As a result, despite not performing as well as the league table suggests, Hearts ought to now not be underestimated and will be assured of taking three points.
Kotoko supporters, on the different hand, trust Sunday will be their day, with their group placing on a dominant performance to defeat Hearts.
Asante Kotoko league form
W D D W D W
Hearts of Oak league form
W D W L W W
Kotoko expected beginning XI: Danlad, Nettey, Mubarik, Imoro, Mohammed, Blay, Boadu, Mudasiru, Gama, Mfegue, Etouga
Hearts envisioned starting XI: Attah, Fatawu, Korsah, Amankwah, Alhassan, Ushau, Awako, Boateng, Obeng Jnr, Mensah, Barnieh
Head-to-head
Hearts of Oak and Kotoko have met 27 instances in the Ghana Premier League considering that 2006, with Hearts of Oak prevailing 10 and Kotoko winning seven. During that time, 10 draws have been recorded.
The Phobians have only misplaced one of their last 13 away games towards Kotoko, winning six.
