Premier League Matchday 33 Preview

The 2024-25 Premier League enters its penultimate weekend with everything still to play for at both ends of the table.

With the title race heating up, the battle for a coveted top-four finish intensifying, and the fight to avoid relegation reaching fever pitch, matchday 33 promises high-stakes drama across the country.

Here's a comprehensive match-by-match preview of a weekend that could define the season.

Asante Kotoko vs Medeama SC

Third-placed Asante Kotoko welcome Medeama SC to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday in crucial matchday 33 encounter of the Premier League, with both sides eyeing strong finishes in what has been a fiercely competitive campaign.

Kotoko’s title hopes suffered a significant blow last weekend after a frustrating goalless stalemate away to fellow contenders Gold Stars FC, their tenth draw of the season. The Porcupine Warriors now sit five points adrift of leaders Nations FC, with 55 points after 32 matches. Though the league crown appears out of reach, Abdul Karim Zito’s side remain firmly in the race for a top-three finish and will be determined to maintain momentum at home.

Kotoko boast an impressive record at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, going unbeaten in their last five home matches (W4, D1), and conceding only twice during that run. With 12 wins, two draws, and just two losses from 16 home games, they are the second-best home side in the league this season. Their overall campaign has seen them score 33 goals while conceding 22, and Sunday presents an opportunity to notch a 13th home victory and bolster their top-four credentials.

Medeama SC, currently sixth with 50 points, enter the penultimate round knowing they cannot be overtaken but have a real chance to leapfrog Hearts of Oak into fifth place. The Mauve and Yellow have been the league's most potent attacking side, netting a league-high 41 goals while conceding 29. However, their Achilles’ heel has been their poor away form. They head into Sunday’s fixture on the back of eight consecutive away defeats, a run that leaves them with the most losses (12) among the top-half clubs.

Despite their away struggles, Medeama will be keen to end their dismal road record and grab all three points to keep their top-four ambitions alive. Historically, recent meetings between the two sides at Baba Yara have been closely contested. Since the 2020/21 season, each side has won twice in their last four league meetings in Kumasi. Kotoko claimed narrow 1-0 wins in the 2021/22 and 2023/24 seasons, while Medeama earned a 2-1 victory in 2020/21 and a 2-0 win in 2022/23.

Legon Cities vs Hearts of Oak

Relegated Legon Cities will look to salvage some pride when they host fifth-placed Hearts of Oak at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium on Sunday, June 1.

It has been a dismal campaign for the Royals, who sit in the bottom three of the league table with just 25 points from 32 matches. Their hopes of survival have long faded, with a torrid run of eight defeats in their last ten games (W1, D1) confirming their drop to the lower division. The struggles have been severe on both ends of the pitch, they have scored a league-low 22 goals while conceding a league-high 47. Their home form has also offered little respite, registering just seven wins in 16 matches (D2, L7), and conceding more goals at home (17) than any other side in the competition.

Despite their overall poor form, Legon Cities will hope to draw inspiration from their recent dominance over Hearts of Oak at home. Since the 2020/21 season, they have enjoyed the upper hand in this fixture on home soil, winning two and drawing one of the last four league meetings. Notably, they triumphed 2-0 last season and 1-0 the year prior, a record that could offer a psychological edge despite their current plight.

Meanwhile, Hearts of Oak arrive in strong form and with their sights firmly set on securing a top-four finish. Aboubakar Ouattara’s men are unbeaten in their last five league outings (W3, D2), including back-to-back wins over Berekum Chelsea and Accra Lions. A win on Sunday would mark their first run of three consecutive league victories since January’s matchday 16.

The Phobians sit fifth with 52 points, having scored 29 goals and conceded just 18, the second-fewest in the league. After ending a six-match away winless streak with two impressive away victories, they will be full of confidence as they head to the University of Ghana Sports Stadium. However, Hearts have not beaten Legon Cities away in the league since 2020, and will need to overcome that hurdle to stay in contention for a top-four finish.

Berekum Chelsea vs Gold Stars FC

Berekum Chelsea will be hoping to return to winning ways when they host title contenders Gold Stars FC at the Golden City Park on Sunday.

Chelsea have endured a mixed run of form in recent weeks, slipping to three consecutive defeats after back-to-back wins, leaving them 11th on the league table with 41 points. With just a three-point gap to the top half, Samuel Boadu’s side will be keen to finish the season strongly. The Blues have been solid defensively at home, keeping four clean sheets in their last five matches at the Golden City Park (W3, D1, L1), and remain among the top ten home performers this season.

Gold Stars FC saw their title hopes dented after a frustrating goalless draw with Asante Kotoko last weekend. That result leaves them second on the table with 57 points, three behind leaders Nations FC, with two matches remaining.

The Miners have conceded just 19 goals this season, the third-fewest in the league, and have been particularly impressive away from home, winning three of their last five away games without conceding a single goal. They rank as the third-best away side in the league, a stat they’ll hope to uphold in Berekum as they aim to push the title race to the final day.

However, Gold Stars will need to overcome a poor away record against Berekum Chelsea to keep their title bid alive. Since the 2021/22 season, they have failed to win in Berekum, with the home side winning two and drawing one of their last three league encounters at the Golden City Park. Chelsea edged Gold Stars 1-0 in the 2021/22 season, played out a goalless draw the following year, and secured a comfortable 2-0 win last season.

The newly promoted side enter the weekend teetering on the edge of the relegation zone, sitting 14th with 38 points , just three above the drop. Abdul Gazale’s men have picked up only one win in their last five matches (D2, L2) and have failed to score in four of those outings, underlining their recent struggles in attack. With 30 goals scored and 34 conceded, the Aiyinase-based side remain vulnerable at both ends of the pitch.

However, their recent home form offers a glimmer of hope. Holy Stars have claimed three wins in their last four matches at the Ampain AAK II Sports Arena and are currently ranked as the seventh-best home side in the league.

Standing in their way is a relentless Nations FC side, who are on the cusp of making history with a potential maiden Premier League title. The Abrankese-based club took a massive step toward glory last weekend with a commanding 3-0 win over defending champions FC Samartex 1996, their third clean-sheet victory over them in league history. That result preserved their three-point cushion over second-placed Gold Stars and reinforced their status as league leaders with 60 points.

Kassim Mingle Ocansey’s side have been a model of consistency throughout the season, boasting the league’s second-best attack (40 goals scored) and the meanest defence (just 16 goals conceded). Their away record has also been formidable, with eight wins, three draws, and five losses from 16 matches, currently the best away record in the league.

Karela United vs Young Apostles

Karela United welcome fellow relegation battlers Young Apostles to the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium on Sunday.

The Pride and Passion find themselves under immense pressure heading into the penultimate round, sitting 15th with 35 points, three adrift of 14th-placed Basake Holy Stars. Last weekend’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Vision FC marked their second loss in five matches (W2, D1), leaving Nurudeen Amadu’s men with little room for error in their bid to escape the drop.

Karela’s major shortcoming has been their goal-scoring woes, with just 22 goals scored in 32 matches , the joint-lowest tally in the league. However, their defensive discipline has offered some balance, conceding only 26 goals so far. Encouragingly, they have shown strong form at home in recent months, going unbeaten in their last ten matches in Tamale (W6, D3, L1). Yet, despite that resilience, they rank as the second-weakest home side overall this season , an issue they must address if they are to take all three points on Sunday.

Young Apostles head to Tamale with a renewed sense of purpose after a crucial 3-1 victory over fourth-placed Heart of Lions last weekend. That result lifted the Wenchi-based outfit to 12th with 40 points, five clear of the relegation zone with two games remaining. Despite boasting just 24 goals and conceding 32, their recent win may prove a turning point in a campaign marked by inconsistency.

The Apostles’ away form, however, has been a major concern. Since their shock 2-1 win over title-chasing Nations FC back in February, they have failed to win in seven consecutive matches (D1, L6), making the trip to Tamale a daunting one. Nevertheless, with survival not yet mathematically secured, they’ll be desperate to avoid defeat and edge closer to safety.

Sunday’s clash marks the first-ever Premier League meeting between the two sides in Tamale following Young Apostles’ promotion this season.

Lions find themselves deep in the relegation scrap following a turbulent campaign that has seen them suffer 15 defeats, the joint-second most in the league. Last weekend’s 3-1 loss to Hearts of Oak in the capital derby only added to their woes, leaving them 15th on the league table with 35 points from 32 matches. With just two rounds remaining, every point counts for Reiner Kraft’s men as they seek to avoid the drop.

Despite their overall struggles, Accra Lions can draw confidence from their outstanding recent form at home, where they’ve registered five straight victories. That home resilience will be crucial as they look to extend their dominance over Dreams FC, a side they’ve beaten in all three of their previous home encounters since gaining promotion. Those wins include a narrow 1-0 victory last season, a thrilling 3-2 result in 2022/23, and a 1-0 triumph in their debut top-flight season.

Accra Lions have netted 32 goals this season but remain leaky at the back, conceding 38, the second-highest tally in the league. With survival hanging in the balance, they’ll need a composed defensive performance paired with clinical finishing to keep their top-flight hopes alive.

Dreams FC head into the weekend in solid form, having picked up three wins, a draw, and one loss in their last five matches. That run has seen the Believers rise to 8th in the table with 46 points.

FC Samartex 1996 vs Aduana FC

Defending champions FC Samartex 1996 will be seeking redemption and a strong finish to their title-defending campaign when they welcome two-time champions Aduana FC to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena on Sunday.

The Timber Giants slipped to seventh in the league standings after a humbling 3-0 defeat to table-toppers Nations FC last weekend, their heaviest loss of the campaign. With just two matches remaining, Christopher Ennin’s men sit on 48 points (W12, D12, L8), having scored 31 goals and conceded 23 in 32 matches.

Despite the setback, Samartex remain a formidable force at home. They’ve won their last five matches at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, keeping three consecutive clean sheets in the process against Accra Lions, Karela United, and Basake Holy Stars.

Aduana FC returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion with a 4-0 demolition of relegated Legon Cities last weekend. That victory elevated the Fire Club to ninth on the table with 44 points (W11, D11, L10). Under Cioaba Aristica’s guidance, Aduana have scored 35 goals, the third highest in the league, with 13 of those coming in their last five matches. However, their defensive record remains shaky, having conceded 31 goals this season.

Away from home, Aduana FC’s form has been erratic. They’ve lost four of their last five away games, raising questions about their ability to maintain consistency on the road. Yet, they’ll look to draw inspiration from a statement 1-0 away win over Nations FC back in mid-March, a result that proves they can rise to the occasion against top opposition.

Samartex have hosted Aduana FC twice since their promotion in the 2022/23 season, winning both encounters 1-0. With both teams eager to end the season on a high, Sunday’s clash promises to be a tightly contested encounter between two of the league’s recent powerhouses.

Heart of Lions will be aiming to return to winning ways when they host mid-table Bechem United at the Kpando Sports Stadium on Sunday, June 1, 2025, in matchday 33 of the Premier League.

After a strong run of four straight wins, two of which came with clean sheets, Lions have faltered in their last two outings. A 3-1 defeat to newly promoted Young Apostles was followed by a goalless draw with relegation-threatened Basake Holy Stars, leaving head coach Bashir Hayford eager for a swift response.

Despite the recent dip, Heart of Lions remain firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish. They currently sit fourth on the table with 54 points from 32 matches, scoring 34 goals and conceding 23. Their home form has been a cornerstone of their success, having won 11, drawn 3, and lost just 2 of their 16 home fixtures, ranking them as the fifth-best home side this season. With two games to go, Sunday’s fixture presents a crucial opportunity to re-establish their momentum, particularly against a Bechem United side they have struggled to overcome since rejoining the top flight last season.

Bechem United have seen their top-four hopes fade after a disappointing stretch of results. The Hunters have managed only two wins in their last nine matches (D2, L5), slipping to 10th place with 44 points. Ernest Danso’s men have scored 30 goals and conceded 26 this season but have found life difficult on the road. They are among the league’s weakest away sides, losing four of their last five away games and scoring just twice in that run (D1, L4). Their away woes will need urgent fixing if they are to pose a threat in Kpando.

The two sides last met at the Kpando Sports Stadium in the league during the 2023/24 season, with the encounter ending in a 1-1 draw, a result the visitors might take confidence from.