NAIROBI, October 31 – The Kenya Premier League continues over the weekend with relegation and title battles taking centre stage as the season enters the home stretch.
On Saturday relegation threatened Red Berets will be looking for a win when they host fourth place Thika United at Greensteads School in Nakuru.
The Nakuru based side suffered a double blow last weekend losing 3-1 to Tusker and three points in a boardroom decision and and must win to keep up any slim hopes of survival.
Thika who were held by Western Stima to a goalless draw last Sunday will also be going for nothing short of a win so as to consolidate their fourth place with David Okello and national under 23 midfielder Stephen Waruru running the show.
Sher Karuturi host Ulinzi Stars at Sher Grounds in Naivasha. The flower men have lost the last two matches and coach Sammy Okoth will look to rediscover their imperious form at home with Harambee Stars keeper Noah Ayuko expected to play a vital role between the sticks.
The soldiers who were held to a 1-1 draw by tusker on Wednesday during the mid week clash will depend on goalkeeper turned striker Francis Ochieng and George Otieno, Harambee Stars trialist midfielder Evans Amwoka, defender Mulinge Ndeto and veteran keeper Francis Onyiso to spur them to victory.
Fifth place World Hope who beat Chemilil Sugar 2-1 in a temper ridden clash on Sunday at Hope Centre, will have a litmus test when they visit 12th place Bandari at Mombasa City Stadium.
After stunning Sony Sugar 4-0 ,Bandari hope use their home advantage and the influential midfield duo of Ali Briek and Abdi Simba for a repeat performance against the Kawangware based team.
Basement Mathare Youth, who have registered 24 points will host ninth place Gor Mahia at Nyayo National Stadium.
The youngsters have had a demoralizing second half of the season and will be up against a rejuvenated Gor side still riding high from their KFF Cup win two weeks ago.
On Sunday second place Sony Sugar hope to recover from the Mombasa humiliation when they host wounded Western Stima in Awendo.
Francis Baraza’s side have lost their way in the past couple of matches slipping five points behind Mathare United and three points will be vital if they are to take the leadership battle to the last two weekends of the season.
Fourteenth place Western are in serious battle trouble at the bottom after losing 3-0 to Mathare in a midweek clash, will look to former international Mark Sirengo and striker Augustine Etemesi to guide them to victory.
Third place Agro Chemicals who have 43 points host 10th place Chemilil Sugar in a Western Kenya derby in Muhoroni.
CECAFA champions Tusker will host 11th place Kenya Commercial Bank at Nyayo National Stadium in a lunchtime kick before league leaders Mathare United clash with 13th place Mahakama at the same venue later in the evening.
Eighth place Tusker hope to build up from the mid week 1-1 draw when they face Yussuf Chippo’s side who have 31 points and dropped three points against Agro Chemicals at Kasarani last weekend.
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