GPL Preview: AshGold vs Hearts of Oak - Relegation battlers face title hopefuls

As Ashanti Gold SC are still thinking of how to turn things around in the season, they face a daunting task to make it happen as they play Hearts of Oak this Saturday at the Len Clay stadium.

The Elephants were handed another painful loss in the midweek to West African Football Academy.

They were beaten 3-0 which sees them lie 15th on the table.

A lose to the Phobians could see them languish bottom of the log after the weekend's fixtures.

Amos Addai looks very doubtful for Saturday's big game.

First choice goalkeeper Robert Dabuo is months away from recovery and is out this clash.

He got injured in a pre-season friendly.

Centre back Sammed Ibrahim returns from suspension whereas Richard Ocran is ruled out due to suspension.

Magnus Ebo Duncan is also suspended for the crunchy game.

Hearts of Oak did it with ease on Wednesday when they thrashed Bechem United 4-2. They were 3-0 up in the first half of the game.

Five points are separating them and the top spot.

Beating Ashanti Gold SC in Obuasi will be very huge for the Phobians since their title aspirations will be very much alive.

Winful Kwaku "Livewire" Cobbinah made his first start of the season in a lofty style by assisting all three goals in the first half in the midweek fixture.

He is expected to keep his place is starting lineup on Saturday.

Malik Akowuah, Inusah Musa and Patrick Razak are sidelined whilst goalkeeper Benjamin Kusi Mensah and winger Isaac Mensah make a return for the big encounter this weekend.

MATCH FACTS

Head to Head (Since 1999)

Total league meetings = 32

Ashanti Gold SC wins = 9

Drawn games = 10

Hearts of Oak wins = 13

~ Ashanti Gold SC have won only one of their last eight matches in the premier league. (W1 D2 L5)

~ Hearts of Oak have lost three of their last eleven premier league fixtures. None of their last seven has ended in a draw. (W5 D3 L3)

~ Ashanti Gold SC have lost just two of their last fifteen home games in the premiership. They have only one win in their last four. (W8 D5 L2)

~ Hearts of Oak have recorded only one victory in their last ten away matches in the premier league. (W1 D4 L5)

~ Ashanti Gold SC have beaten Hearts of Oak just once in their last six meetings in the premiership. (W1 D3 L2)

~ Hearts of Oak have managed four wins in their sixteen visits to Ashanti Gold SC in the premier league since 1999. (W4 D4 L8)

~ Ashanti Gold SC have managed to keep only one clean sheet in their last eight matches in the premier league.

~ Hearts of Oak have kept just one clean sheet in their last ten away fixtures in the premiership.