GPL Preview: Can AshGold redeem Image against AllStars?

After going winless in their last three home games, AshGold will have to overcome Wa All Stars as interim coach C. K. Akunnor searches for his first victory on Sunday at the Len Clay.

AshGold play host to the defending champions, Wa All Stars in the last round of games for the first round of the season. The miners are winless in their last seven premier league games and eight in all competitions while languishing at the bottom of the league table with just 9 points from 14 games played so far.

This season has been their worst start to a season since the 2008/09 when they accumulated a total of 11 points from 14 games but managed to narrowly escape relegation on the final day. With the exception of Inter Allies who escaped relegation in 2013/14 season after gaining 9 points from 14 games, no side has overturned such a season. It will definitely be a fight for the miners if they are to make the roll call for the 2017/18 season.

With the CAF Champions League exit behind them, Wa All Stars are yet to replicate the form that annexed them the league title last season, they went unbeaten at home last season but have already lost twice this season at home. It has been a picky-hoppy season for them so far, from a win to a draw then a defeat.

Wa AllStars occupy the 7th position with 20 points, a year in retrospective, they were sitting at the summit of the league table with 25 points after the fourteenth-week fixture.

AllStars were pipped at home by Bechem United in week 13, a defeat few saw coming due to Bechem’s losing streak on the road this season. AllStars will, however, be hoping to put the defeat behind them as they seek to compound the woes of relegation-stricken side AshGold in their own backyard.

Ashgold will have to dig deep if they are to maximise their home advantage, things have not been going their way this season, with the fans’ agitations still unsettled. C. K. Akunnor needs to marshal his boys to finish the first round on a high in order to give the fans something to cheer about for the next round

HEAD TO HEAD

Total Games Played ~18

AshGold wins ~7

Draws ~7

Wa AllStars wins ~4

GOALS scored in this fixture 18 with AshGold scoring 12 and Wa AllStars with 6

ASHGOLD at HOME against WA ALLSTARS

Games Played ~9

Wins ~5

Draws ~3

Losses ~1

GOALS scored 9 and conceded 3

KEY FACTS

ASHGOLD are bottom on the league table with 9pts from 14 games (W2 D3 L9) scoring 11 and conceded 25 with just 1 clean sheet

WA ALLSTARS have managed 20pts and are 7th after 14 games (W5 D5 L4) scoring 12 and conceding 12 with 6 clean sheets

ASHGOLD are winless in their last 7 league games (D2 L5) and have won just 1 in their last 12 league games (W1 D3 L8)

WA ALLSTARS have lost their last 2 games and have won 1 of their last 4 (W1 D1 L2)

WA ALLSTARS have lost just 1 AWAY game in their last 6 PL games (W2 D3 L1)

ASHGOLD have won just 1 HOME game in their last 6 (W1 D2 L3) scoring 5 and conceded 8 with just 1 clean sheet

ASHGOLD have not lost a PL game at HOME against WA AllStars in their last 3, winning 2 and drawing 1