• Oppong – Kotoko forward

 Defending champions Kumasi Asante Kotoko would be engaged in a must-win clash against FC Samartex in their match-day 22 betPawa Ghana Premier League (GPL) encounter at the Nsenkyire Sports Complex today.

With a game in hand and lying fifth on the league table – eight points behind league leaders Aduana Stars, the Porcupine Warriors would be geared up to secure a win to close the gap on top of the table.

More so, with the likes of Accra Lions, Bechem United and arch rivals Hearts of Oak not giving up of their chances of winning the league title, Kotoko must position them­selves amongst the top four as the league season gets keener each week.

Forwards Stephen Mukwala and Isaac Oppong are expect­ed to lead the lines for Kotoko and ensure they walk away with the three points against a resolute Samartex side who would also be determined to cause an upset, especially playing at their backyard.

They would definitely come up with a fight and Ibrahim Danlad must also be equal to the task as Samartex are notorious for their sharp attacking prowess.

Samartex, currently ninth on the league table and just a point behind Kotoko, are also climbing steadily with hopes of joining the top-four race.

Three points against Ko­toko would be a huge boost for the new comers who seem to be on the right path as far as staying in elite football is concerned.

The other game for today would be waged at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Ta­male where Tamale City hosts Dreams FC in an interesting encounter.

The relegation-threatened Tamale City must find a win to move up the table after a very inconsistent season.

Matches for tomorrow will see Hearts squaring off with Kotoku Royals at the Accra Sports Stadium with the Pho­bians expected to clinch all three points to maintain their top-four position and possibly move up to keep the pressure on Aduana.

Bottom-placed Kotoku Roy­als might also come out with a fight as they would need some points to avoid returning to lower tier football next season.

Elsewhere, Real Tamale United (RTU) will play Ber­ekum Chelsea at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium, while Medeama and Accra Great Olympics do battle at the Akoon Park.

Third-placed Bechem Unit­ed host Karela United at the Nana Fosu Gyeabuor Park in another thriller while Nsoa­treman engage second-placed Accra Lions at the Nana Kro­nmansah Park in Nsoatre.

Two fixtures are, howev­er, scheduled for Monday to complete the round of match­es. They are King Faisal, who take on Bibiani Gold Stars at the Dr Kyei Sports Complex, while Legon Cities face league leaders Aduana at the El-Wak Sports Stadium.

 By Michael D. Abayateye