Premier League Saturday preview: Aduana FC battle Nations FC; Nsoatreman FC travel to Karela United
Karela United vs Nsoatreman FC: 15:00GMT, Nalerigu
Karela United welcome Nsoatreman FC to the Naa Sheriga Sports Complex aiming to continue their push for survival in the Ghana Premier League on Saturday.
The Pride and Passion, who lost 3-1 at Bechem United last weekend, will be anxious to return to winning ways when they host the Nsoatre-based side.
United, lying 13th on the table with 37 points, need to win to avoid falling through the trap door.
Nsoatreman FC have almost secured their top-flight status after their 4-0 demolishing of Bibiani GoldStars FC at the Professor Nana Koromansah park last Sunday.
Maxwell Konadu's men were ruthless against their opponent and will be counting on another big performance away from home to continue their push for at least a top-four finish.
For Karela United, even a win may not guarantee safety but they will need to grind out a positive result against the visitors at home on Saturday.
United are 13th on the table with 37 points after 30 league games, having won 2, drawn 1 and suffered 2 defeats in their last 5 outings.
They’ve managed to secure 28 accumulated points at home this season, scoring 16 and conceding 11 goals. Going into this match Karela United have lost just once at home, won 7 and recorded 7 draws.
Karela United have conceded the second highest number of goals this season (38).
Nsoatreman FC after 30 matches have managed to accumulate 45 points and are 5th on the table. Coach Maxwell Konadu’s side have recorded 2 wins, 2 draws and suffered 1 defeat in their last 5 league games.
They have secured 17 points away from home this season, scoring 12 and conceding 18. They are ranked as the best away performers in this campaign so far.
The Nsoatre lads head into this fixture with a defeat in their last away game against Heart of Lions in Kpando.
Karela United have played Nsoatreman FC once at home in the league after Maxwell Konadu’s side joined the Premiership in the 2022/23 season with Karela United winning 1-0.
Giyasu Ibrahim has scored in the last three consecutive league games for Karela United and is expected to start the game on Saturday with the likes of Solomon Aboagye, Maxwell Agyemang, Rashid Alhassan, Samuel Asiedu, Mohammed Asigre, Abdul Latif, Humid Dafie, Eric Kwakwa, Fatawu Mohammed, Samuel Atta Kumi and Samuel Arthur all available.
Nsoatreman FC top scorer Manaf Umar is available for the game on Saturday and hope to extend his 9-goal tally.
Other key players like Stephan Diyou, Mohammed Abdul Rahaman, Collins Kudjoe, Eric Osei Bonsu, Meider Kwabena, Mohammed Issaka, Sadat Mohammed, Philip Ofori, Richard Acquaah, Morrison Anokye and Foster Apetorgbor all fit and well prepared for the clash.
Aduana FC vs Nations FC: 15:00GMT, Dorma Ahenkro, StarTimes Adepa Channel 247
Aduana FC will be hoping to leapfrog Nations FC into second position when they welcome the visitors to the Nana Agyemang Badu I park on Saturday.
The Fire Club, who are just two points behind second-placed Nations FC, will overtake them on the table if they manage a win in front of their home fans.
Aduana will be aiming for back-t0-back wins after their solitary 1-0 win at Hearts of Oak put them in pole position of finishing second on the table.
Now, Yaw Acheampong's men have a simple task of beating Nations FC and overtake them on the table with four matches to end the season.
To get that crucial win, the hosts need to discover a goalscoring touch after losing 2-1 at home to Karela United.
Aduana Stars are 3rd on the table with 46 points after 30 matches, having won 2, drawn 1 and suffered 2 defeats in their last 5 games.
The Fire Club are ranked as the 3rd best home performers this season following 12 wins and 3 defeats in their 15 home appearance. They’ve scored 28 and conceded 11 with 36 accumulated points.
The Two-time champions lost their last home league game against Karela United and will hope to avoid another setback.
Aduana FC are the second best scoring side in the league this season (37).
Nations FC have won 1, drawn 2 and suffered 2 defeats in their last 5 outings. They are currently 2nd on the table with 48 points after 30 matches.
The newly promoted side have managed to secure 12 points, scoring 4 and conceding 14 goals. They are ranked as the 8th best away performers in this campaign.
Coach Kassim Mingle Ocansey’s side have failed to score in four of their last 5 consecutive away games and are pointless in the last three matches in away.
Aduana FC are yet to host Nations FC at home after gaining promotion into the Premiership in the 2023/24 season.
Alex Boakye, Kelvin Obeng, Richard Afriyie, Rich Sackey, Richard Tetteh, Asamoah Fiifi Anderson, Emmanuel Obuobi, Yussif Chibsah Alhassan, Bright Enchil, Raymond Agyemang and Richard Mahama are all fit and available for the game for Aduana FC.
Asamoah Boateng Afriyie has netted 10 goals for Nations FC and is expected to start the game on Saturday with the likes of Emmanuel Boahene, Razak Simpson, Prince Acquah, Barimah Baah, Abdul Karim, Sadiq Alhassan, Asante Boahen, Kwame Boakye, Richard Berko, Nafiu Sulemana, Michael Awuah, Prince Badu and Nuamah Blankson all available for the match.
Accra Lions vs Bechem United: 15:00 GMT, Accra
Accra Lions welcome Bechem United to the capital on Saturday May 25, 2024 on matchday-31 of the Ghana Premier League.
Lions will be aiming to return to winning ways after losing 1-0 at Nations FC in their last encounter while United brushed aside Karela United 3-1 at home.
Both teams are tied on 44 points from 30 matches and will look to finish well with four games left to spare.
Lions boast a record of 12 wins, 8 draws and 10 defeats from their 30 league matches this season, which has left them in seventh spot in the table on 44 points.
Bechem United, currently sitting in 6th place with 44 points from 30 games, have endured a season that can be characterised as underwhelming, especially when compared to their impressive 3rd place finish last year.
Accra Lions have managed to accumulate 28 points from 15 home games, scored 20 and conceded 13 goals.
They are ranked as the 10th best home performers in the league in this campaign. Ibrahim Tanko’s side are unbeaten in their last six consecutive home league games without conceding a goal.
Bechem United sit 6th on the league table with 44 accumulated points after 30 matches, having won 1, drawn 3 and lost 1 in their last 5 games.
The Hunters have secured 13 points away from home, scoring 14 and conceding 18 in the process and ranked as the 5th best away performers in the league. They are winless in their last six consecutive away matches.
Bechem United are the third highest scoring side in the league so far (37).
Accra Lions have played Bechem United twice after returning into the top-flight in the 2021/22 season with Accra Lions unbeaten in both encounters.
In the 2021/22 season, Accra Lions beat Bechem United 2-1 before recording a goalless draw in the 2022/23 season.
Accra Lions head into the encounter with quality players like, Mohammed Yahaya, Dominic Amponsah, Blessing Dankwah, Ali Mohammed, Daniel Awuni, Remember Adomako Boateng, Musa Hamzata, Ibrahim Issa, David Oduro, Sadat Seidu, Abdul-Shakun Abubakari, Fredrick Asante, Bernard Kesse and Issah Hussein all available for the game.
Bechem United top scorer Cephas Mantey has been instrumental for United, contributing significantly to the team's offensive efforts.
Emmanuel Ababio, Emmanuel Annor, Clinton Duodu, Francis Twene, Emmanuel Abban, David Asabere, Emmanuel Owusu, Francis Acquah, Joseph Kinful, Isaiah Nyarko and Gabriel Tenlep could all be available for the Hunters.
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