David GOMBE
Table leaders SC Villa will seek to bounce back from the defeats against Arua Hill and KCCA FC when they host third placed Vipers SC at Muteesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku.
They will however have to engage the battle without the injured quintet of Seif Batte, Martin Elungat, David Owori, Jonah Kakande and Muna Kalule. Midfielder Davis Sekajja is also suspended.
The record league champions suffered a 4-1 defeat to second placed KCCA in their previous game.
A win over the Venoms will see them keep their title hopes alive.
Vipers on the other under the stewardship of former SC Villa striker Alex Isabirye beat Arua Hill 1-0 in their previous game.
Isabirye expects a tough contest but remains confident of maximizing points
“They have a good set of coaches, good players so it will be a difficult one.”
“We have also been preparing well and we shall go there and put up a good perfomance, because we need those three points,” Isabirye added.
“Both teams have good players so it will go down to how how well the players are mentally,” Isabirye told the club website.
Facts
Both sides are separated by four points, SC Villa are currently top with 43 points while Vipers are third with 39 points and have three games in hand.
Team News
SC Villa will be without winger Patrick Kakande through injury. Jackson Magera will look up to Charles Bbaale for inspiration.
Youngster Travis Mutyaba is expected to start the contest at Wankulukuku.
For the visitors, the game comes too early for forward Yunus Sentamu who is yet to recover from a knee injury. The Venoms are also still without long-time absentees Alfred Mudekereza and Murushid Juuko.
Isabirye will have is hope for maximum points in forwards Abubaker Lawal and Karim Ndugwa.
Head to head
This will be the 35 meetings between the two sides in the Uganda Premier league.
In the previous 34 meetings; Vipers have registered 15 Wins, SC Villa seven wins and 12 games have ended in stalemates.
Villa have managed one home win in the last 10 games they have hosted Vipers, losing 5 and drawing 4.
Meetings: 34
SC Villa wins: 7
Vipers wins: 15
Draws: 12
