The Premier League title race and the battle to avoid relegation takes centre stage on Sunday May 18, 2025, across six venues.
Here is a preview of matchday 31
Asante Kotoko vs Dreams FC
Asante Kotoko will entertain Dreams FC at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday in a a match that could prove crucial in the Porcupine Warriors' pursuit of silverware this season.
While Kotoko’s narrow 1-0 victory over Berekum Chelsea secured them a spot in the MTN FA Cup final, their league form remains a cause for concern. A return of just one win from their last five Premier League matches (D2, L2) has seen them slip to fourth place on the table with 51 points from 30 games. Particularly worrying for head coach Abdul Karim Zito is his side’s back-to-back league defeats without scoring, a slump that has allowed regional rivals Nations FC to seize top spot.
Kotoko have been formidable at home, winning four of their last five games at Baba Yara without conceding. They are currently ranked as the fifth-best home team in the league and will be eyeing their twelfth home victory of the campaign.
Offensively, Kotoko are among the joint-fifth highest-scoring sides this season with 29 goals, while their defense has been relatively solid, conceding just 21 times.
Back-to-back victories in their last five matches (D1, L2) have propelled Dreams into the top half of the table, sitting ninth with 43 points. The Believers have found the net 23 times and conceded 24 goals this season. Their away form has been particularly impressive of late, winning three of their last five matches on the road, which sees them ranked as the fifth-best away side in the league.
Despite their recent improvements, Dreams FC have struggled historically against Asante Kotoko, especially away from home. Since the 2020/21 season, they have faced Kotoko four times in Kumasi, managing just one win, one draw, and suffering two defeats. Kotoko triumphed 3-1 in the 2020/21 season and 2-0 in 2021/22, while Dreams FC held them to a goalless draw in 2022/23 before securing a rare 1-0 victory in the 2023/24 season.
Berekum Chelsea vs Hearts of Oak
Berekum Chelsea will hope to return back to winning ways when they welcome Hearts of Oak to the Golden City Park on Sunday May 18, 2025.
As the dust settles on Berekum Chelsea’s heart-breaking 1-0 defeat against Asante Kotoko in the MTN FA Cup semi-finals, their attention swiftly turns back to the Premier League (W3, L2). They go into this weekend sitting eleventh in the Ghanaian top-flight with 41 points, two points away from securing a place in the top half on the league table. A gap they will aim to build on against a Hearts of Oak side they are yet to beat in the league at their own stadium since 2020. Samuel Boadu’s men are among the top best home sides in the league ahead of the clash and have kept four clean sheets in their last five home games (W4, D1).
An inconsistent run of five matches (W1, D3, L1) has tamed Hearts of Oak chances of cementing their place in the top four on the table. Aboubakar Ouattara’s side begin match day 31, occupying the 6th position in the league table with 46 points, scoring 25 and conceding the second fewest number of goals (17). Spirited Phobians head to Berekum full of confidence following their strong away form, winning five, drawing six and losing four and are the second best away sides prior to this fixture. They will be eager to continue their dominance over Chelsea on Sunday.
Berekum Chelsea have hosted Hearts of Oak four times at home in the league since 2020/21 season with three matches ending in a draw and Chelsea losing one.
In the 2020/21 season Berekum Chelsea drawn goalless with Hearts of Oak, repeated same score line in the 2021/22 season and the 2022/23 season before losing 0-3 in the 2023/24 season.
Basake Holy Stars vs Heart of Lions
Basake Holy Stars will hope to end their two-game losing streak when they entertain second-placed Heart of Lions at the Ampain AAK II Sports Arena on Sunday May 18, 2025.
The newly promoted side have dropped to the 13th position on the league table with 36 points, following their inconsistencies in recent weeks, managing just two wins and three defeats in five matches. They’ve scored 30 and conceded 34, the second joint highest in the division so far. Abdul Gazale’s men are among the best home performers in the league after nine wins , four draws and lost just twice in their fifteen home appearances. They will seek for their tenth home win in the league on Sunday.
FC Samartex 1996 were unable to stop a rampant Heart of Lions from securing a fourth consecutive win in the league for the first time since December 26,to keep their Premier League aspiration alive (D1). Lions have leapfrogged Gold Stars FC to move to the second position on the table with 53 points after that dramatic 2-1 win at their home grounds. The Kpando lads have scored 33 goals in 30 matches- the second joint highest and conceded 20 in the process. Coach Bashiru K. Hayford’s side are the fourth best away performers in the league following four wins, five draws and five defeats.
Basake Holy Stars are hosting Heart of Lions at home in the league for the first time since the Aiyinase lads gained promotion into the Premier League this season.
Karela United vs Medeama SC
Karela United entertain Medeama SC at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium on Sunday in the Premier League.
United registered their biggest league win at Gold Stars last time out (0-1) since March 2024 to end their three-game winless run (W1, D1, L2). They will be desperate to build some momentum as they attempt to pull away from the relegation battle. They’ve amassed 32 points from 30 matches and have scored the fewest number of goals (19) and conceded 24 so far. Nurudeen Amadu’s side are the worst home team in the league prior to this fixture, securing the least points (20) after fourteen home matches. The Tamale-Based will yearn for all the spoils on Sunday over a Medeama SC side they’ve never lost to at home in the league since 2020.
The Mauve and Yellow journey north on the back of two successive wins against Young Apostles and Vision FC (W2, L2) and a win here can secure them a place in the top four. They’ve amassed 47 points from 30 matches and are currently occupying the 5th position on the table, scoring the highest number of goals in the league currently (37) and conceding 26. Ibrahim Tanko’s side are underperforming in the league away from home, as their recent inconsistent away form has prevented them from making greater progress, losing their last five away matches on the road. Sunday’s visitors Medeama SC haven’t won any of their last four trips to Karela United in the league (D3, L1).
Karela United have played Medeama SC four times at home in the league since 2020/21 season with Karela United winning one and drawing three.
In the 2020/21 season, Karela United beat Medeama SC 2-0, drawn 1-1 in the 2021/22 season, repeated same score line in the 2022/23 season and drawn goalless in the 2023/24 season.
Vision FC vs Young Apostles
Vision FC will be desperate to return to winning ways when they host fellow Premier League newcomers Young Apostles at the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
Both teams are still fighting to secure their top-flight status, with Vision FC currently sitting 14th on the league table, four points adrift of 12th-placed Young Apostles.
Despite their struggles, Vision FC have shown resilience at home. The Tema-based side are unbeaten in their last five home matches (W2, D3) and will be aiming to build on that momentum as they chase a crucial seventh home win of the season.
For Young Apostles, their debut season in the Premier League has been a rollercoaster, but a recent 2-0 home victory over Basake Holy Stars has reignited their survival hopes. That result ended a two-match winless streak (D1, L1) and saw them climb to 37 points from 30 matches. However, the Wenchi-based side have struggled on the road of late, suffering back-to-back away defeats to third-placed Gold Stars FC and Medeama SC.
Young Apostles have scored 21 goals this season while conceding 29, the fourth-highest tally going into this fixture.
This fixture marks the first-ever Premier League meeting between the two sides at this venue.
FC Samartex vs Bechem United
Defending champions FC Samartex 1996 will welcome Bechem United to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena on Sunday for a crucial matchday 31 clash in the Ghanaian Premier League.
Samartex enter the fixture inside the league's top seven, well-positioned to challenge for a top-four finish despite seeing their five-game unbeaten run (W4, D1) halted by Heart of Lions last weekend. The Timber Giants have been solid at both ends of the pitch this season, ranking as the joint-fifth highest scorers with 29 goals while boasting the third-best defensive record, having conceded just 19 times.
Christopher Ennin’s side will take confidence from their impressive home form, having secured four wins and one draw in their last five matches at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena. Samartex have enjoyed recent success against Bechem United on home soil, winning both previous Premier League meetings since their promotion in the 2022/23 season, a narrow 1-0 victory in their debut campaign followed by a commanding 4-1 triumph last season.
Bechem United come into this match on the back of a morale-boosting 1-0 win over bottom-placed Legon Cities, ending a four-game winless streak (D1, L3). That victory secured their 13th win of the season, lifting them to 8th place with 43 points, just one point behind their upcoming hosts.
