GPL PREVIEW: Hearts look to consolidate lead, Kotoko travel as All Stars hope to keep chase

Top-flight football continues this Wednesday with Table toppers – Accra Hearts of Oak - hoping to extend their lead at the summit at the expense of Berekum Chelsea while third placed Asante kotoko, who twice fluffed the chance to go top of the table following two straight draws, will seek to bounce back to winning ways as they travel down south to square off with drop zone candidates Ebusua Dwarfs.

Dethroned league leaders - Wa All Stars - will have home advantage when Techiman city stops by, Bechem Utd will hope to draw inspiration from their hard fought goalless draw at Kotoko to end AshantiGold’s unbeaten record in the second round and at Tema, Astro Turf experts - Inter Allies and West Africa football Academy - will lock horns with the Eleven is One side in dire need of the maximum points to enhance their standing on the table.

Elsewhere in midweek action, Dreams FC will have their work cut out for them as they welcome title contenders Aduana Stars, Medeama SC and New Edubiase will play host to Liberty Professionals and Sekondi Hasaacas respectively.

HEARTS VS CHELSEA
Fresh off their brilliant performance and crucial win at Hasaacas that catapulted them to the summit of the log, the Phobians will have no choice but to replicate same as they host Berekum Chelsea at Accra, where they have relatively struggled to impress.

The Phobians will surely be desperate to keep the winning momentum alive, ahead of Sunday’s ‘Super Clash’ against bitter rivals, Asante Kotoko.

Portuguese trainer Sergio Traguil shut his critics down with a masterful plan that toppled Wa All Stars off the top, and he will have to come up with another excellent game plan as the Phobians seek to extend their lead at the top.

Hearts' only problem heading into the clash which obviously is good news for their opponents, is the fitness level of top scorer Cosmos Dauda. The Nigerian born goal poacher is in serious doubt for the game after picking a knock in the Sekondi thriller.

The Blues anchored by former Atletico Madrid striker Sadick Adams are good candidates to frustrate any club on a good day. And Hearts must be wary of it to avoid relinquishing the top spot.

DWARFS VS KOTOKO
Perhaps the most important of all the day’s games with both teams in dire need of the maximum points to improve their lot, especially Dwarfs, who are engulfed in a serious relegation battle and cannot afford to squander what little chance of survival they have at home. The Porcupine Warriors on their end need the win to keep their PL title hopes alive.

Kotoko have fluffed the opportunity to go top of the log with two straight ties. Coach Michael Osei had a hard time leaving the Baba Yara Sports stadium after last Sunday's stalemate against Bechem united. An indication that fans of Kotoko will expect nothing short of victory in Cape Coast at the expense of Ebusua Dwarfs. A situation he fully understands.

"We didn’t expect such a result. I was disappointed as my players were. Criticisms from the fans are acceptable but we didn’t intend to draw.Things just didn’t go the way we wanted. We hope to improve to make the supporters happy.”

A win for the Porcupines will do a whole lot of good for them ahead of their clash with Hearts of Oak but Dwarfs may fancy their chances of condemning Kotoko to a defeat and boost their chances of survival in the PL. Their in and out flirtations with Premier League soccer is well documented, looming life in the embrace of Division One soccer where they just came from this season should be enough to spur them to victory.

This should be a stroll in the park for WA All Stars at their favorite venue where they are yet to taste defeat. It all seemed good for Wa All Stars until a draw and a loss in the last two games raised doubts over their title credentials.

And it's up to them to reject those doubts with a convincing win over Techiman.

Do not rule out a Techiman upset as the game sometimes produces shocking and unexpected results. Techiman have some physical strength to count on after being idle last Sunday, due to the postponement of their encounter with Medeama SC, due to the latter’s involvement in scheduled CAF.

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Story by Ghana/Joy Sports/Enoch Fiifi Forson