Azam Uganda Premier League
Express FC vs SC Villa
Mutessa II War Memorial Stadium, Wankulukuku
Friday, 11-05-2018.
Express FC will host SC Villa in the Azam Uganda Premier League on Friday with both sides desperate for three points.
The Red Eagles seat third from bottom with only three games remaining in the current season and know that a loss at home to their eternal rivals may turn out to be the sacker punch in the Red Eagles bid to stay in the league.
The Red Eagles start the day with 27 points from as many games and seat only a point away from safety.
With the other teams above them starting to pull away, the Red Eagles know how vital a win would be for them especially coming against their eternal rivals.
For Villa, they head into the game six points behind table leaders Vipers and know that any slip ups in the last three games would mean that they have to wait a little longer for a first title since 2004.
With head coach Wasswa Bbosa and assistant Paul Mukatabala both suspended by the Federation and club respectively, goalkeeping coach Mubarak Kiberu is the one expected to be on the touchline for the 16 time record winners.
“It is a big game for me and the team, said Kiberu ahead of the tie.
“It will be the biggest i have ever been in charge of but the bottom line is that it is not about me.
“The game is very important to the club as our title ambitions hang heavily on it and we know that anything short of a win will be disaster.
“Express is our eternal rival but i feel we have everything to win the game so i hope luck is on our side.
Match Stats:
Head to Head.
SC Villa won the first meeting between the two sides 1-0 at Masaka Recreation Grounds in November. Alex Kitata scored the only goal of the game in the 88th minute.
However, Villa have defeated the Red Eagles only once at Wankulukuku since 2013 with the victory coming in March 2015 via a 3-0 score line.
Express won the reverse fixture last season 1-0 thanks to now Villa midfielder Allan Kyambadde.
This fixture has not seen a scoreless result in the last seven years. The last time both teams failed to score in this match was on 01-06-2011.
Express FC.
Express goes into the fixture having failed to win any of their last three league fixtures (D2 L1).
The Red Eagles have won only seven league fixtures this season, drawing five and losing the remaining 15 games, their worst top flight record in the clubs history.
They have registered six of their seven wins this season on home turf, drawing three and losing five.
Against the top three, Express has lost all of its four fixtures so far this season, but only one came at home when they went down 2-1 at the hands of two time league defending champions KCCA FC.
SC Villa.
SC Villa goes into the game having won eight of their last 11 league fixtures (D1 L2).
The Jogoos have not had it smooth on the road, having triumphed in only four of their opening 13 fixtures away from Masaka (D6 L3).
Against the bottom three, Villa has registered a record of four wins in as many games this season. Scoring seven goals and conceding only one
SC Villa have the best defensive record in the division, conceding only 11 goals so far this season. They have not let in more than one goal in a single game this season.
Other League games to be played on Friday:
Bul FC vs Bright Stars FC @Kyabazinga Stadiun, 04:00pm
Maroons vs Police FC @Luzira Prisons Grounds, 04:30pm
UPDF FC vs Soana FC @Bombo Barracks Grounds, 04:30pm
