Match Preview: Hearts of Oak vs Medeama

Hearts of Oak will host leaders Medeama SC in the last fixture of the first round on Saturday at the Cape Coast as the Phobians seek to kick-start a winning streak.

The Phobians are very much in the relegation fight, but just one victory in their last seven league matches.

That win came against Asante Kotoko SC over a month ago which highlights how poor the team have fared this campaign.

They are currently lying 12th on the league table with only two points above the relegation zone.

The Rainbow outfit need a win at all cost on Sunday to prevent ending the first half of the season in the drop zone.

It is not going to be easy if the Phobians eyes a victory against the Mauves and Yellow because Hearts of Oak have beaten Medeama SC only once in the last seven years.

Joseph Esso is expected back in the starting lineup after returning from suspension whilst stalwart defender Inusah Musa likely to miss the encounter.

Kojo Obeng Junior, Patrick Razak and Fatawu Mohammed are ruled out of Sunday's crunchy fixture since they are nursing their respective injuries.

Medeama SC will be first round champions this season if they manage to avoid a defeat on Sunday against Hearts of Oak at the Cape Coast stadium.

Achieving that will mean the Mauves and Yellow are having their best ever premiership since joining the top-flight in 2007 as Kessben FC.

Their hopes are so high of getting all the three points on Sunday against the Phobians.

The Mauves and Yellow have an edge over Hearts of Oak taking into consideration their last evelen meetings in the league where the former have lost only once.

The Tarkwa based side could lose their top spot with a defeat in the crucial duel this weekend if Ashanti Gold SC and Inter Allies FC record wins in their fixtures.

Kwasi Donsu has bagged an impressive six goals in his last six appearances for Medeama SC in the premiership.

A lot will depend on him if the Mauves and Yellow are to record a victory in Sunday's game.

The free-kick specialist has also emerged man of the match on three occasions in the last six league games.

MATCH FACTS

Head To Head

Total league meetings = 20

Hearts of Oak wins = 5

Drawn matches = 6

Medeama SC wins = 9

? Hearts of Oak have recorded only one victory in their last seven matches in the premier league.(W1 D3 L3)

? Medeama SC have lost just two of their last eleven fixtures in the premier league.

(W7 D2 L2)

? Hearts of Oak have managed only two victories in their last eight home games in the league. They have drawn all of the last three.(W2 D4 L2)

? Medeama SC have won only one of their last nine fixtures in the premiership as travellers.(W1 D3 L5)

? Hearts of Oak have beaten Medeama SC only once in their last eleven meetings in the premier league.(W1 D5 L5)

? Medeama SC are undefeated in their last five visits to Hearts of Oak in the premier league.(W3 D2 L0)

? Hearts of Oak have kept just three clean sheets out of their seven home fixtures in the premiership this campaign.

? Medeama SC have conceded in all of their last nine away matches in the premier league.