Preview: Hearts of Oak vrs Asante Kotoko- The odds against Phobians despite Porcupines' flaky form

The biggest football rivalry in Ghana comes off this at the Accra Sports Stadium when the two most successful clubs Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko square off.

Prior to the historic clash, Hearts of Oak won against Ashanti Gold SC in Obuasi for the first time in decade last Sunday.

Kotoko suffered an unexpected shock at the Baba Yara Stadium when they succumbed to a 0-1 loss to unconvincing New Edubiase United last Saturday.

Hearts of Oak enter the crucial fixture without long term absentee Samudeen Ibrahim who returned to training just this week.

The Phobians will as well be missing Isaac Oduro, Thomas Abbey and Richard Yamoah in the cagey match.

Samuel Yeboah, Kennedy Appiah, Ashitey Ollenu, Selasi Adjei, Evans Gbeti Sylvanus and Inusah Musa have all recovered from their respective injuries.

Isaac Mensah has declared fit to feature against bitterest rivals Asante Kotoko following a knock he attracted last Sunday.

However, Asante Kotoko are boastful of a fully strengthened squad ahead of the much anticipated game after goalkeeper Eric Ofori Antwi returned to full fitness last week.

Only Jackson Owusu can't make trip to the capital of Ghana with his broken leg injury that has ruled him out of the season.

Michael Osei leads Asante Kotoko to face Hearts of Oak on Sunday as an interim coach.

MATCH FACTS
Head to Head (All time)
Total matches played = 102
Hearts of Oak wins = 34
Drawn games = 36
Asante Kotoko wins = 32
*Hearts of Oak have lost only one of their last fourteen premier league games.

They have won just one of their last four.
(W8 D5 L1)
*Asante Kotoko have lost four of their nine premier league matches this season.

(W3 D2 L4)
*Hearts of Oak have lost just once in their last six home matches in the league.

They are winless in their last two.
(W4 D1 L1)
*Asante Kotoko have won only one away Ghana Premier League fixture this season.

(W1 D0 L3)
*Hearts of Oak have won just one of their last nine meetings with Asante Kotoko in the premiership.

(W1 D4 L4)
*Asante Kotoko are unbeaten in their five matches at away to Hearts of Oak in the league.

Their last away loss to Hearts of Oak was 13th December, 2009. They lost 0-1.

(W3 D2 L0)
*Hearts of Oak have managed just one clean sheet at home in this season's premier league.

*Asante Kotoko have kept only one clean at away in the premiership this term.

They have scored only one goal at away this season.

*Cosmos Dauda has scored in his last two matches for Hearts of Oak in the league.

*Dauda Mohammed has scored in two of his last three appearances for Asante Kotoko in the premiership.