Kenyan Premier League Preview

This weekend KPL begins this Thursday with the League on match day 23.League leaders Tusker FC takes on second placed Ulinzi Stars on Thursday at 7pm under floodlights at the Nyayo National Stadium,The match will be aired live by pay television chanel Supersport.This will be a top of the table clash and a game the Brewiers  would like to win to cement their firm grip at the top of the table while the army men would like to catch up with the league leaders.However Ulinzi Coach Benjamin Nyangweso is not taking anything  to chance despite injury worries to Defendes Kevin Ouma   and  Richard Chege.

Other matches lined up for over the weekend is that of Rangers battling it out with Relegation candidate Bandari at 2pm before out of form KCB takes to the pitch 2 hours later to confront  inform  Sofapaka.Congo United who upset contenters Gor Mahia at City last week welcomes Edward Manoa’s Chemelil Sugar FC.At the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega,hosts Western Stima would want to forget memories of their 5-0 demolition at the hands of Sofapaka and concentrate on weekend winners and relegation threatened City Stars.

On Sunday,two matches will be lined up.At Awendo Green Stadium,Sony Sugar would be going for their third straight win after stopping Rangers,Gor Mahia and Karuturi when they entertain Thika United who lost 2-0 at home to Tusker.At Naivasha,Karuturi would want to rediscover their winning ways when they take on Mathare United.

All matches kick off at 3pm unless stated.

The big derby which was scheduled for this weekend pitting AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia was postponed to a later date.

My Predictions;

Tusker (1)   vs    Ulinzi(2)

This is termed as the top of the table clash and one that will show the supremacy of the Brewiers to hold on to the helm more firmly.Tusker looked more focus in this match especially after conquering Thika Town and passing two goals past the host.The sharp striking force and the depth in midfield with a strong defese shows why the beer makers are a hard nut to crack.Denis Mukaisi and George Midenyo upfront,Hilary Echesa,C.Oland  in mid and the defensive  hall of Atudo,Mandela  and Abich’s return.

My predictions Tusker 2 Ulinzi 1

Rangers(6)   vs  Bandari(15)

Rangers would be like wounded lions especially after their crashing at Chemelil.Coach David Ouma would like to prove his critics wrong that they were intimidated by fans and this anger will land at Relegation threatened Bandari who could only afford a draw at home to Leopards.A win for Rangers would make them leapfrog to position 2 and within 6points of leaders Tusker assuming Tusker lose.A draw would be enough for Rishadi Shedu considering their way form.

My predictions;Rangers  2  Bandari 1

Western Stima(9)   vs   Nairobi City Stars(14)

Henry Omino would be a dissapointed man at the end of 90 min if he will be short of maximum points  at home  considering the bad  and disastrous  outing  at Sofapaka where they soaked in a massive 5 goals the second for a team this season after  debutants Congo United.But tough talking former Gor Mahia and Congo United Coach Gideon Ochieng would be happy with a draw especially after silencing early league pacesetters KCB over the weekend.But the determined power men would like to amend what caused the huge blackout at the City by electrocuting the Kawangware based team.

My predictions;Western Stima 1  Nairobi City Stars 1

Congo United (16)  vs   Chemelil Sugar (3)

Bottom placed  Congo United play hosts to high riding Chemelil Sugar.Both teams got huge wins over the weekend as Congo shocked Gor Mahia while Chemelil hit 3 past Rangers.The trip to Mombasa will be a tricky one for Chemelil as their mental strength will be put by the sword and vetted.A draw is almost likely as Juma Abdalla prepares his boys for the Sugar millers.Edward Manoah would accept a draw but a win would be a grat achievement for a club who began the season on a wrong footing

My predictions  Congo United 1  Chemelil 1

Sunday Matches:

Sony Sugar(11)   vs   Thika United (12)

This will be a well evenly balanced match with both teams separated by a point in the KPl  Standings,Sony Coach Francis Baraza will go for his fourth straight win after dispatching Rangers,Gor Mahia and Karuturi Sports,on the other hand Kimani’s men would forget the home debacle when they were forced to drink a lot of beer at their backyard.The question is?Will the sugar millers allow the men from Thika cut their cane?90 min at a  Awendo will give the answer.

My predictions;Sony Sugar 1 Thika United  0

Karuturi Sports(8)   vs  Mathare United(13)

Both teams would be looking for valuable points as they lost their weekend matches.A  draw would be enough for theteams who have little depth.

My predictions;Karuturi Sports 0  Mathare United   0

By Cilve Ayuko

Nairobi