GPL PREVIEW: Hearts face Ashgold test, Michael Osei seeks to end Kotoko slump

The Ghana Premier League will enter Match Day 22 on Wednesday. A fresh three horse race is emerging with Medeama from nowhere now in contention to snatch the title from Hearts of Oak and WA All Stars. Kotoko have fallen down the pecking order and will need to react fast miss out on the title.

Hearts for the second straight Match day will be involved in the top linear when they host reigning League Champions and draw experts Ashgold to the Accra Sports Stadium.

Relegation threatened Inter Allies will pitch their survival hopes against title contenders and so will cellar dwellers – New Edubiase – as they welcome under pressure Asante Kotoko.

Dreams FC will continue their quest to break into the top four ranks at the expense of the visiting Berekum Chelsea and Bechem United will look to return to winning ways as hosts of Techiman City plus surging Ebusua Dwarfs will host neighbors WAFA.

Medeama were involved in a CAF Confederation match on Tuesday against Young Africans which they won 3-1 to boost hopes of reaching the qualification stage.

HEARTS VS ASHANTIGOLD
The last time both teams met in Accra, it was Ashgold who occupied the top spot and Hearts struggling for points to save their campaign. Match ended 2-2. This time it is the other way round, with Hearts heading into the game top of the league and Ashgold two points away from the danger zone.The Phobians can start dreaming of winning the tittle for the first time since 2009 but it is important they remain focus and avoid complacency in the last nine games.Under Coach Sergio Traguil Hearts have yet to taste defeat, the team is solid at the back and the attacking threat of Patrick Razak Samudeen Ibrahim and Cosmos Dauda is giving defenders plenty worry about. Dauda missed the super Clash due injury but he is expected to feature against the Miners.Both teams will relish grabbing the three points at stake to boost their respective ambitions which sets up a nerve wracking clash to look out for.The head-to-head satistics reads; Ashanti Gold 7 wins, 6 draws and 6 defeats.

EDUBIASE VS KOTOKO
Asante kotoko will be chasing its first league victory in as many as four games when they visit Berkwai park to play relegation candidate New Edubiase.Kotoko managed a draw in the Super Clash against Hearts of Oak, a result that has left them five points adrift off the top spot. Their hopes of landing the title is all but fading unless they do return to the fine form which saw them move from the bottom to second position in the first round.Kotoko are considering augmenting their technical department with a technical director. A step in the right direction if you ask of mine opinion but it will be in vain if whoever comes in doesn't collaborate well with coach Michael Osei to churn out positive results.Edubiase are languishing at the bottom of the table. They have been absolutely poor and it doesn't look like they will escape the death at the end of the season. Edubiase despite their troubles have the advantage in this one as a result of Kotoko's poor record at the former's home ground. The Porcupines have barely one win in six attempts. Plus Edubiase have won four (13) of the 13 meetings, losing three (3) and sharing the spoils six (6) times.

INTER ALLIES VS WA ALL STARS
An anticipated perfect season is turning out to be one to forget for Inter Allies who find themselves in contention for the Division One League. Second from bottom and they will host second placed All Stars with revenge on their minds.The Eleven is to One side were bettered 2-0 by All Stars in the first round and need put up a resounding display to revenge the defeat and dent the title hopes of All Stars.Coach Jimmy Cobblah also will relish getting back at All Stars for terminating his contract for no reason.All Stars are in good position to snatch the title and every point will count at this moment.

OTHER GAMES...
Bechem will host the next installment of the Bono derby when Techiman City play as guests to Bechem United with the Techiman side currently holding the advantage in terms of the head to head.

Liberty are currently suffering a slump going 5 games without a win, they face Hasaacas who just ended their own abysmal run of form with a win against Dreams.

The debutants themselves host Berekum Chelsea eager to exact revenge on them following their defeat at the Golden City Park and Ebusua Dwarfs will hope to continue their rich vein of form against WAFA in Cape Coast.

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Story by Ghana/Joy Sports/Enoch Fiifi Forson