Ghana Premier League: Thrilling facts and figures about Hearts-Kotoko clashes

Head to head These sides will be facing each other for the 103 time in the league. Hearts have won 34, while Kotoko have 32 wins, with 36 games ending in draws.

The first league encounter between them came in 1958, which the Phobians won 4-2 but it was replayed because the game ended abruptly and once again the Accra based side thrashed the Porcupine Warriors by 5 goals to 2 at the Kumasi Jackson Park, now the Jubilee Park

Hearts of Oak have hosted  the Porcupine Warriors on 53 occasions. The Phobians have registered 16 wins as against 15 by Kotoko and 22 games have ended in draws.

With the exception of the 2006-07 that Hearts of Oak adopted Cape Coast as their home grounds, because the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium, Accra was under renovation, all their home ties against Kotoko took place in Accra, so in Accra they have played Kotoko 52 times. They have won 15 games apiece in the 52 league encounters.

The first league game between them in Accra was played on Sunday November, 16, 1958. The visitors won 2-4.

Hearts 2-4 Kotoko.
Kotoko won their first three visits to Accra. Hearts had to wait until the fourth season to record their first home victory against Kotoko

Kotoko have gone 5 seasons without a defeat in Accra against Hearts of Oak (W3, D2). This is their longest unbeaten run against the Phobias in Accra. If they avoid a defeat on Monday, they will stretch it to 6 season which would equal Heart of Oak feat of avoiding a defeat in Kumasi on 6 consecutive seasons in the from 1988 to 1993-94 season.

Last season Kotoko handed Hearts of Oak a 2-1 defeat in Accra

Four games between these sides have taken place on match day 10. Hearts have won 2, whereas Kotoko have won 1 and drawn 1.

The month of May has witnessed 12 clashes between Hearts and Kotoko in the league.  The Phobians have won 4, lost 3 and drawn 5 against the Porcupine Warriors

This is going to be Referee Awal Mohammed's second league game incharge of Hearts-Kotoko ties. He was the knight of the whistle when Kotoko drew goalless against Hearts of Oak in November, 2011. Last 5 league games: Hearts vs Kotoko

2012-13
Round 24
[May 4]
Hearts of Oak          1-1 Asante Kotoko
2013-14
Round 2
[Sep 22]
Hearts of Oak                   0-1 Asante Kotoko
Round 29 [Jun 1]
Asante Kotoko           0-0 Hearts of Oak          

2014-15
Round 6 [Feb 7]
Asante Kotoko           0-1 Hearts of Oak
Round 25
[Aug 2]
Hearts of Oak 2-1 Asante Kotoko            Hearts have recorded 1 wins, whereas Kotoko registered 2 victories and 2 games have ended in drawn games from the last 5 games

There is a coincidence here. Last season prior to their match day 25 encounter in Accra Hearts of Oak had lost to Edubiase under caretaker coach Eddie Ansah, while Kotoko had beaten AshGold on match day 24. This time around ahead of their clash on match day 10, Kotoko had suffered 0-1 defeat agains New Edubiase under a caretaker coach Michael Osei, whereas Hearts of Oak edged AshGold 2-1 on match day 9. Match facts and team news

Hearts of Oak are lying 2 on the league log with 17 points. They have lost just a game.

Kotoko have lost 4 league games, won 3 and drawn 2 and are sitting 12 on the log sheet with 11 points.

Kenichi Yatsuhashi's side are noted for their impressive performance in the 2 half, having scored most of their goals in the 2 half.

Hearts of Oak put up a stunning display to beat the league champions, AshGold 2-1 in Obuasi on match day 9

Cosmos Dauda is the new sensational chap for the Phobians, having scored three goals this season and he was the man who scored both goals against AshGold

Dauda Mohammed, the two goal hero last season against Hearts of Oak would be the player to watch on Monday.

Michael seems to have got the antidote to the Kotoko problem, when he secured two straight wins, after taking over from his boss David Duncan, but New Edubiase halted his side on match day 9.

Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the life patron and owner of Kotoko has fulfilled his promise by purchasing a brand new Yutong bus for the team prior to their clash against Hearts of Oak. Kotoko have paid all salary arrears and cleared all bonuses to motivate the team for the clash.