NAIROBI, November 7 – Kenya Premier League leaders Mathare United will be seeking for three important points as they face basement club Mathare Youth at Hope Centre on Saturday for yet another crucial derby.
Francis Kimanzi’s side was held to an unexpected 1-1 draw by relegation threatened Mahakama at Nyayo National Stadium last Sunday and will be going for a win to keep at bay the chasing Sony Sugar with only three matches to go.
The slum boys who scored points from the boardroom after yellow and red cards were audited hope to rely on striker Francis Ouma and midfield dynamo Austin Makacha who started on the bench last weekend.
The troubled Youth side must win their remaining fixtures to rekindle any chances of survival this season.
Youth have amassed only four points from their last six games and the misery continued following the 4-3 loss to Gor Mahia at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.
Relegation threatened Red Berets will also be battling for survival when they host ninth place World Hope at Greensteads. The Adminstartion Police side were held to a 1-1 draw by Thika united at the same venue last weekend.
World Hope who were docked three points by KPL for fielding Francis Thairu who had accumulated three yellow cards need a win to halt the slide down the table.
In form side Ulinzi Stars who are upto fourth visit fifth place Thika United at Thika Municipal Stadium in a tricky fixture.
The soldiers will build up from their goalless draw away to Sher Karuturi and depend on international Mulinge Ndeto alongside midfielder Evans Amwoka and striker Francis Ochieng in hunt for goals.
Thika will rely on their home ground advantage to register maximum points with custodian David Okello and the pacy midfielder Steven Waruru leading the troops.
Struggling Mahakama who are lying just above the relegation zone with 28 points hope to spark as they host 10th place Sher Karuturi at Hope Centre in Kawangware.
Mahakama will be after three points against the flowermen a week after they snatched a point against leaders Mathare United at Nyayo national stadium.
On Sunday eighth place Gor Mahia will be seeking victory when they host third place Agro Chemicals at Nyayo National Stadium.
Agro Chemicals who succumbed to a 3-0 shocking defeat in Muhoroni against their bitter rivals Chemilil Sugar hope to have recovered whne they take on Kogallo.
Seventh place Chemilil Sugar host coastal side Bandari in Chemilil. Eleventh place Bandari who have a poor away record will look to midfield duo of Ali Briek and Abdi Simba to spur the team in Western Kenya.
The wounded Western Stima now in 12th place wait for a crucial battle at Bukhungu Stadium after their 3-2 loss to Sony Sugar when the visiting Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) come calling.
Stima who benefited with a massive five points from the boardroom to move away from the relegation zone will rely on their home ground advantage and striker Augustine Etemesi and Mark Sirengo in the hunt for goals.
KCB who lost 2-1 against CECAFA champions over the weekend and also nursing wounds as they were also doccked points hope to use the influence of Harambee Stars midfielder Joseph Njuguna and former international Pascal Ochieng.
Second place Sony Sugar will welcome sixth place Tusker in Awendo for a gruelling match after both sides won 3-2 and 2-1 respectively over the last weekend.
Francis Baraza’s side have a good home record and will rely on international Jockins Atudo and Noah Abich alongside striker Dennis Onkangi in the hunt for goals.
The brewers who have recovered their form hope to hand new coach James Nandwa another victory against the sugar millers on Sunday.
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