Asante Kotoko vs FC Samartex 1996 – 15:00 GMT, StarTimes Adepa channel 247
Two teams with contrasting fortunes meet on Sunday as struggling Asante Kotoko battle high-flying FC Samartex 1996 in a mouth-watering Ghana Premier League fixture on Sunday.
The top-of-the-bill clash has been overshadowed by fans' agitations in Ghana's second largest city, Kumasi, amid incessant pressure on under-fire coach Dr Prosper Nartey Ogum, following unflattering results in the domestic-flight.
The Porcupine Warriors are winless in their last 7 matches and will be desperate to turn the screws in their favour against the most in-form team in the Premier League.
They have accumulated 33 points and lie 11th on the table with a winless record spanning across the last five matches.
The Porcupine Warriors have the least number of points accumulated at home, scoring 10 and conceding 9 league goals.
Kotoko heads into the game on the back of three successive home defeats against Accra Lions, Nations FC and Nsoatreman FC.
Samartex extended their lead at the top of the table after their hard-fought 3-2 win over Berekum Chelsea last weekend.
The Timber giants are without a defeat in five matches, recording three wins and drawing two.
They have accumulated 13 points away from home, scoring 10 and conceding 14 goals in the process - to make them the 3rd best away performers this season.
Asante Kotoko have played FC Samartex 1996 once at home since joining the top-flight. In the 2022/23 league season Asante Kotoko won 2-1 against the Aboi-based side.
Steven Mukwala Desse is yet to find the back of the for Kotoko since he scored for Uganda in their 2-2 draw with Ghana in an international friendly last month.
Baba Yahaya, Henry Ansu, Peter Acquah, Isaac Oppong, Kalo Ouattara, Yusif Nurudeen, Emmanuel Kotei, Enock Morrison, Andrews Ntim and Augustine Agyapong are all available for selection.
Samartex forward Evans Osei Wusu, who has been ruthless for the league leaders, is expected to be spearhead their attack at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
Midfielder Emmanuel Keyekeh, who scored the decisive goal in the corresponding fixture back in Samreboi, is available for selection.
Baba Musa, Ebenezer Acquah, Isaac Afful, Desmond Gyabeng, Emmanuel Mamah, Ebenezer Ocran, James Serwornu and Emmanuel Adu Siaw are all available for the crunch tie in Kumasi.
Bofoakwa Tano v Bechem United – 15:00 GMT
With their heads now above water, Bofoakwa Tano host Bechem United in the Bono derby at the Sunyani Coronation park on Sunday.
The home side are just above the relegation zone after their remarkable 2-2 draw at second-placed Nations FC last weekend.
They head into the match eager to pick maximum points at home to continue their push for survival in the top-flight.
Bofo have accumulated 30 points from 26 matches and lie 15th on the league table, having won twice, drawn once and lost twice in their last five outings.
They have recorded 21 points at home, scoring 9 and conceding 9 - to make them the second weakest home team on their return to the top-flight.
However, they have won their last three home matches.
Bechem United are unbeaten in their last five matches. They sit 6th on the table from 25 matches.
The Hunters are among the top 10 best away performing teams in the league. They have scored 11 and conceded 14 on the road.
But they are winless in their last 4 away league games as they head into Sunday's fixture in Sunyani.
Bofo leading marksman Saaka Dauda will seek to add to his goal tally of 8.
Bashiru Abu, Sammy Osae Akoto, Alhassan Ali, Andrew Appau, Prince Adjei Asamoah, Emmanuel Agyenim Boateng, Charles Mensah, Ado Zack and Solomon Oblitey all fit for the game on Sunday.
Bechem United star man Cephas Kofi Mantey will be available for the game on Sunday with the likes of Emmanuel Ababio, Francis Acquah, Emmanuel Annor, David Asabere, Clinton Duodu, Joseph Kinful, Isaiah Nyarko and Gabriel Tenlep.
Real Tamale United v Nsoatreman- 15:00 GMT
Basement club Real Tamale United (RTU) host Nsoatreman FC eager to fight for survival on Sunday.
The Tamale-based side, who are facing relegation to Ghana's second-tier after a three-year return to the top-flight, battle Nsoatreman FC at the Naa Sheriga Sports Complex.
RTU have accumulated just 25 points from 26 matches, having won 2 and suffered three defeats in their last five matches.
The Tamale Boys have recorded 22 points at home in this campaign, scoring 16 and conceding 13 in the process.
The home side are unbeaten in their last five matches at home.
Nsoatreman FC are the second best away performers in the top-flight this season, having accumulated 14 points on the road, scoring 10 and conceding 16 goals.
Their last trip was a narrow 1-0 win at Asante Kotoko as they completed the double over the Porcupine Warriors.
The Nsoatre lads lie 7th on the table with 38 points, having recorded 2 win, suffered two defeats and drawn once in their last 5 outings.
Bottom-placed Real Tamale United have played Nsoatreman FC once at home in the league since making their debut in the 2022/23 season, with the pride of the North beating Nsoatreman FC 2-0.
RTU's leading marksman, Mohammed Mankuyeli, who has scored 8 goals so far, is expected to be arrowman for the home side.
Lord Adabo, Asuno Adjetey, Abdul Aziz, Iddrisu Gadafi, Adams Hafiz, Baba Kushibo, Awudu Mohammed and Abdul Sayibu are all available for the match.
Nsoatreman FC can rely on midfield dynamo Manaf Umar as well as Mohammed Abdul Rahman, Stephan Diyou, Eric Osei Bonsu, Collins Kudjoe, Richard Acquah, Morrison Anokye, Apetorgbor Foster, Walid Neymah Fuseini, Mohammed Issaka and Mark Agyekum.
Bibiani GoldStars v Aduana FC -15:00 GMT
Bibiani GoldStars FC are back at home to face two-time champions Aduana Stars at the Duns park on Sunday.
The home side are smarting from their 2-0 defeat at Accra Lions last Monday and will be eager to get back to winning ways.
They come up against a side which also needed a late winner against struggling Heart of Lions at home last weekend.
GoldStars FC, who had gone six matches unbeaten prior to their defeat in the capital, sit in 10th place with 35 points from 26 matches.
They have won 3, lost 1 and drawn 1 in their last five outings.
The Miners are the 5th best home performers in the league, having recorded 27 points in 13 matches. They have also scored 28 goals and conceded 14 in the process.
Gold Stars FC have a six consecutive winning streak record heading into this epic match against the Fire Club.
Aduana are third on the table with 42 points, seven behind leaders Samartex. They have won 2 and suffered three defeats in their last five matches.
They are the 4th ranked club with the least number of points accumulated away from home, suffering 10 defeats and recording just two wins.
They have scored 10 goals and conceded 19 in the process so far.
It’s a cracker between the best scoring side in the league this season Aduana FC (37) and the third highest scoring side Gold Stars FC (34).
Bibiani Gold Stars FC have played Aduana FC twice at home in the league since the 2021/22 season, with the Miners winning one and drawing one.
In the 2021/22 season Gold Stars FC beat Aduana FC 1-0 before sharing the points in a stalemate in the 2022/23 season.
GoldStars FC top scorer Prince Owusu Kwabena, who has netted 9 times, is available for selection.
Other key players available for the clash include Alex Aso, Appiah McCarthy, Frank Amankwah, Ronald Frimpong, Emmanuel Odai, Mawuli Wayo, Emmanuel Appau, Eric Bosomtwi and Charles Gyamfi.
Aduana FC can also count on top stars like Emmanuel Gyamfi, Sam Adams, Kelvin Obeng, Emmanuel Obuobi, Alex Boakye, Yusif Chibsah Alhassan, Sampson Cobbinah, Richard Afriyie, Richard Mahama, Kyeremeh Silas, Richard Tetteh and Iddrisu Shaibu.
Heart of Lions v Nations FC -15:00 GMT
Heart of Lions lock horns with Nations FC home aiming to continue their push for survival after a tumultuous return to the Ghanaian top-flight.
Lions will hope to maintain their unbeaten record at the Kpando park as they host the second-placed team.
They lie at a precarious 17th position, having won 1, suffered three defeats and drawn once in their last five matches.
Lions are the third ranked club with the least number of accumulated points at home, scoring 14 and conceding 8 goals.
They hold an unbeaten home record in their last 7 matches.
Nations FC are second in the league, five points behind leaders Samartex heading into the trip to Kpando.
They have amassed 44 points from 26 games but their last two matches have not been encouraging.
A 1-0 defeat at struggling Real Tamale United and a discomforting 2-2 draw at home to Bofoakwa Tano, has dealt a blow to their Premier League title charge.
The newly promoted side have recorded 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat in their last 5 encounters. They have won the twice in their last five away matches this season, accumulating 12 points by scoring 4 goals and conceding a staggering 10.
Heart of Lions are yet to host Nation FC at home in the league since the Kpando lads returned to the league in the 2023/24 season.
Lions top scorer Ebenezer Annan (6 goals) is expected to lead their attack with the likes of Mustapha Yakubu, Kwesi Pong, Godfred Asamoah Kwadwo, Ishamel Addo, Bismarck Anim, Christian Boateng, Yaw Danso, Ruben Hennessy, Mohaison Mahmoud, Emmanuel Ofori, Akwasi Duah and Yusif Afful all likely to feature in the match.
Nation FC's leading striker Asamoah Boateng, who is the third top scorer in the league this season, is available for selection.
Barimah Baah, Nafiu Sulemana, Razak Simpson, Justice Amate, Kelvin Ampoful, Issac Asare, Micheal Awuah, Nuamah Blankson, Emmanuel Boahene, Richard Danso, Abdul Karim, Prince Acquah and Prince Badu all all fit and raring to go against Lions in Kpando.
Heart of Lions have accumulated 25 points in 26 league appearances this season and are currently occupying the 17th position in the table, having won 1, suffered 3 defeats and recorded 1 win in their last 5 league games.