Preview: Phobians face tricky test against Liberty Professionals

Hearts of Oak are determined to consolidate their top spot in the Ghana Premier League with a win against regional rivals Liberty Professionals at the Accra sports stadium behind closed doors on Thursday afternoon.

The Phobians are serving an empty stadium ban imposed on them due to their fans mayhem caused in their home game against Wa All Stars in week six.

Hearts of Oak trekked to Dormaa to held Aduana Stars to a 1-1 draw on Sunday after conceding the first goals.

Samudeen Ibrahim will still have to wait for match action since his return from injury.

Head coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi says he isn't ready yet to feature for the Phobians.

Richard Yamoah, Isaac Oduro and Thomas Abbey will miss Thursday's derby whereas Soulama Abdoulaye returning into the squad after his suspension.

Liberty Professionals also beat New Edubiase United 2-0 with no sweat last Monday at the Carl Reindorf Park after the game was rained off on Sunday.

The Scientific Soccer Lads need a win to move up on the league ladder into the top four before their last match in the first round of the season.

Assistant coach Felix Aboagye has vowed to neutralize the Phobians' "Sushi" tactics with their own style called "Yalaa football" on Thursday in the Accra derby.

They are going into the epic clash with a fully fit squad.

MATCH FACTS

Head to Head

Total matches played = 32

Hearts of Oak wins = 19

Drawn matches = 5

Liberty Professionals wins = 8

*Hearts of Oak have lost just two of their last eight matches in the Premier league.

(W3 D3 L2)

*Liberty Professionals have also lost only two of their last seven Premier league fixtures.

(W4 D1 L2)

*Hearts of Oak have lost two of their last eight home games in the league.

They have won just one of their last four.

(W5 D1 L2)

*Liberty Professionals have won three of their last eight matches in the Premier league at away.

(W3 D2 L3)

*Hearts of Oak have lost only one of their last six meetings with Liberty Professionals.

(W4 D1 L1)

*Liberty Professionals have won three of their last six visits to Hearts of Oak in the league.

Their last was 25th March 2012

(W3 D0 L3)

*Hearts of Oak have managed two clean sheets at home in the Premiership this season after six matches.

*Liberty Professionals have kept only a clean sheet in their six Premiership outings this current campaign.