With four games to the end of this year’s premier league season and no dominant team at the helm, the chase for the title looks likely to continue for a while and probably go down the wire for a photo finish. All the top five clubs have equal opportunity of winning the title and the vying clubs are battle ready for the last games of the season.
Wa All Stars have the lead with 45 points followed closely by Aduana Stars with 44 points. Hearts of Oak lie third with 42 while Asante Kotoko has the 4th spot with 41 points. With four games to go, none of the top four clubs has stuck its neck out clearly for the title and it looks like any of the above clubs can win it considering the point gap between the top four clubs.
Meanwhile the battle for survival gets keener by the week. Apart from WAFA who lie 6th on the table with 38 points, all the clubs below have a relative good chance of being relegated to the second tier of Ghana’s league. New Edubiase have been lying bottom for several weeks and nothing shows the trend will change. Inter Allies have a slim chance of escaping relegation but their output on the pitch does not speak well of their intention. The inconsistencies they have exhibited throughout the campaign are evidence enough to show that surviving in this year’s would be the tallest order for them.
However, all is set for match day 27 to be honored. Almost all the matches are dicey and it is very difficult to pick the toughest. All the 8 matches are deciders on their own; a slip may cause a club the top spot and a loss may drop a club into the relegation zone.
Inter Allies vs New Edubiase
At the Tema Sports Stadium strugglers Inter Allies will welcome bottom side New Edubiase in a match of equals. Both clubs lie 15th and 16th respectively and they can swap positions if the latter beats the former. But Allies have different ideas. It is a must win for them to enhance their survival hopes. A defeat confirms their relegation and the battle would virtually be over for them. It will however be a surprise to many if Inter Allies surrenders to New Edubiase on their favorite Astro turf.
Techiman City vs Liberty Professionals
Another cagey encounter of similar fate is the match involving Techiman City and Liberty Professionals at the Osei Ameyaw Park in Techiman. Liberty has the 12th spot with 31 points while Techiman City lie on 13th with 30 points. This means that a win for the Citizens will spell doom for the scientific soccer lads who have had a miserable second round. But Techiman look the favorite to carry the day taking into consideration their home record. Even though Dwarfs broke their home invincibility, they look superior against Liberty Professionals.
Ebusua Dwarfs vs Medeama
Ebusua Dwarfs would entertain former confederation cup campaigners – Medeama - at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast. Both clubs are trying to bounce back from defeats and it will be a crunchy duel. Medeama lost painfully in their CAF Confederations Cup semi-finals decider against MO Bejaia while in form Ebusua Dwarfs lost surprisingly to Bechem United at home. Medeama would hope to win to appease their teeming fans who were disappointed over their exit but Dwarfs on the hand cannot afford to lose twice at home in a row. Dwarfs look too formidable to be surprised again at their backyard.
AshantiGold vs Hasaacas
Fellow strugglers AshantiGold and Hasaacas would lock horns at the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi for the chance to boost their fight for survival. AshantiGold lost for the first time in the second round to Aduana Stars at Dormaa last weekend and winning this match is so important to their survival. Hasaacas had the chance to amass all three points available at the Essipong Stadium last weekend but they rather settled for one point apiece with Asante Kotoko. They have made their journey tough when they face the Miners at Obuasi. It will take greater work from the Hasmal Boys to gain a point in Obuasi. AshantiGold look set to enrich themselves with the three available points.
Bechem Utd vs Hearts of Oak
MTN FA Cup finalist Bechem United will host the best away performers of the league, Accra Hearts of Oak at the Bechem Park this weekend. Apart from WAFA who humiliated the Phobians in Sogakope, No club has gained all the three points against Hearts of Oak in away matches. Bechem United will test the might of the Phobians to see if they can add to their woes. Hearts of Oak are struggling and the fans are becoming impatient with Portuguese trainer, Sergio Traguil. He has been labelled a draw expert and it will not shock the Phobians if he gets another draw in Bechem. The home side would not have any mercy should they get the opportunity to punish the Phobians. It is a must win for Hearts of Oak if they still have plans of winning the league.
WAFA vs Aduana Stars
Aduana Stars’ second position is under siege as they prepare to take on WAFA at the dreaded Red Bulls Arena. The Academy Boys are yet to lose a home game and nothing shows any of the clubs have got the antidote against them at home. It will be a great achievement if Aduana stars earn a draw and a miracle if they win. But the Dormaa lads can pull a surprise if one does not expect. Their mission to win the league is intact and winning at Sogakope is part of the game plan. They will try but the Academy Boys would carry the day.
Kotoko vs B. Chelsea
Asante Kotoko have got another chance to keep their slim chance of winning the league alive this weekend. They take on struggling side Berekum Chelsea at the Baba Yara stadium in a crunch encounter. Kotoko would be looking forward to finish hard in the league as well as appease their teeming fans who have complained bitterly about their darling club’s inconsistence in the ongoing league. Chelsea on the other hand have lost some shine upfront in the absence of their talisman Sadick Adams who is on trial in Turkey. Kotoko have all the ammunition to help them carry the day but Berekum Chelsea can surprise them if they lose concentration and become complacent in the course of the match.
Wa All Stars vs Dreams FC
League leaders Wa All Stars can consolidate their lead if they humble troublesome debutant Dreams FC at the Malik Jabir Park in Wa. They will extend their lead if Aduana Stars and Hearts of Oak drop points at their respective away venues. Dreams FC who have had a great debut season will also like to prove a point that they are no pushovers. They would give the home side a tough time. Wa All Stars have a good home record and losing the match is not likely. But Dreams FC can shock them if they underrate the ‘Believers’. Count on Wa All Stars to pick up all the three points since they need it more to win the league ultimately.
© 2016 ALBERT KOTEY/MYGHANALINKS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Follow @myghanalinks on Twitter and like us on Facebook