Another weekend is here, which means Ghana Premier League football is back.
After Hearts of Oak’s reality check last weekend against All Stars, the ultimate question remains how they will respond to adversity. Their rivals Asante Kotoko on the hand will hope their off-field issues won’t be as messy as their performance against Liberty on Sunday. In all, 7 games will be honored with the Western Regional derby featuring Hasaacas and Medeama postponed due to the the latter’s involvement in Africa.
Footy-Ghana’s Fentuo Tahiru brings you predictions from match day 7.
Match: Inter Allies vs Bechem United
Venue: Tema Park, Tema
Kick-off: 3pm
Inter Allies haven’t had the season they wished for. Good performances haven’t necessarily translated into good results. And after that 3-1 thrashing in the hands of Dwarfs last weekend, the “Eleven is to One” desperately need a pick up. They couldn’t have asked for a better match. Bechem United are bad travelers, failing to pick a single point away from home thus far. Inter Allies should account for them.
Prediction: Inter Allies 2-0 Bechem United (Home win)
Match: Wa All Stars vs Ebus’ua Dwarfs
Venue: Malik Jabir Stadium, Wa
Kick-off: 3pm
The surprise performers of the season so far have another chance to extend their lead at the top of the table. The great thing about this Wa All Stars is that they don’t concede goals. They’ve conceded only 2 goals so far, keeping 4 clean sheets in the process. Dwarfs on the other hand have conceded 5. Both teams are coming into this game with confidence boosting victories against Hearts of Oak and Inter Allies respectively. But Maxwell Baakoh and company, will have too much for Dwarfs.
Prediction: All Stars 3-0 Dwarfs (Home win)
Match: Techiman City vs Hearts of Oak.
Venue: Nana Ameyaw Park, Techiman
Kick-off: 3pm
This has a big game stature all around it. It’s not so much about the two teams involved because truth be told, they are miles ahead in terms of pedigree. But Techiman City have proven to be a tough nut to crack at their favored Ameyaw Park, nicknamed “The Den.” And rightly so. They have won all three games played at home so far this season, continuing a run that lasted the whole of last season in division one. Can Hearts of Oak become the first team to break that record? The phobian supporters are anxious and desperate for a redemption following their humiliation at home last week. But will it come against Techiman City? I doubt it.
Prediction: Techiman City 1-1 Hearts of Oak (Draw)
Match: Asante Kotoko vs Liberty Professionals
Venue: Baba Yara stadium, Kumasi
Kick-off: 3pm
Kumasi Asante Kotoko are under unprecedented pressure. Bottom of the table with just their solitary victory thus far, the Porcupine Warriors are wallowing in unfamiliar territory. Everybody connected with the club knows that anything either than a victory against Liberty could spark the end for many. Imagine Kotoko losing again this weekend. Oh my. I can’t even get my head around it. But that’s exactly what could happen on Sunday. Their opponents aren’t pushovers. Even in top form, Kotoko would struggle to beat this Liberty side. Midfielder Ebo Mends, alongside tormentor-in-chief Latif Blessing have engineered a great start for the Dansoman-based outfit. Their 5-1 thrashing of Ashantigold last weekend was overly impressive. It will be difficult to see Kotoko beat them.
Prediction: Asante Kotoko 1-1 Liberty Professionals (Draw)
Match: WAFA vs New Edubiase
Venue: RedBull Arena, Sogakope
Kick-off: 3pm
This is one of those easy matches to predict. WAFA have been terrific at home this season, playing some very scintillating football. Edubiase meanwhile have been terrible, both at home and away from home. Many are already tipping Anthony Commey’s side to go down, and rightly so. They failed to adequately replace the Nuhu brothers, who they sold to AshantiGold. They let a 1 goal lead at home slip against Techiman City last weekend, needing to fight back to eventually get a draw. In Sogakope, they stand no chance.
Prediction: WAFA 2-0 Edubiase (Home win)
Match: AshantiGold vs Dreams FC
Venue: Len Clay Stadium, Obuasi.
Kick-off: 3pm
What has happened to the league Champions? They were absolutely swept apart by Liberty Professionals in embarrassing fashion last weekend. It’s one thing for the champions to be beaten, but it’s another for them to be humiliated. Hayford’s team will hope to put up a good show for their fans, who have witnessed just one victory at all season. C.K. Akunnor’s Dreams are still dreaming on. Lawson Bekui scored late to hand them a narrow victory over WAFA and I see Dreams putting more pressure on Bash on Sunday.
Prediction: AshantiGold 1-1 Dreams FC
Match: Berekum Chelsea vs Aduana Stars
Venue: Golden City Park, Berekum
Kick-off: 3pm
This Brong Ahafo Regional derby is never a dull one. While Aduana might have found a bit of a revival under new coach Cioba Aristica, Chelsea have been on some good form. Sadick Adams has been on fire, scoring four goals so far this season. Maybe this is the game when the star players of Aduana Stars finally come to the party. But seeing Aduana have lost each of their last 2 visits to Berekum, it’s hard to see that happen. Chelsea will nick it narrowly.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-0 Aduana Stars
