Uganda Premier League
Police FC vs Express FC
StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo
Wednesday, 15-01-2020
Police FC are enjoying their best return of form this campaign and look like a good bet to avoid the drop.
After picking just five points from their opening 12 games, the Cops have gone on a brilliant run that has seen them take 10 out of a possible 12 points in their past four games.
After ending the first round on a three-match unbeaten run, Abdallah Mubiru’s side defeated Wakiso Giants FC 2-1 away from home to climb out of the relegation zone for the first time this season.
However, they start the day (Wednesday) back in the drop zone after Bright Stars defeated KCCA FC 2-1 the day before but a point will see them back to 13th.
On Wednesday, they come up against an Express FC side that will be desperate for points as they are now getting closer to the dog fight.
The Red Eagles who at some point looked like they had escaped the clutches of the relegation battle now sit just three points adrift of it.
This has been caused by a series of poor results that have seen George Ssemwogerere’s side win just one of their previous five league fixtures.
In their opening second-round game, they were clearly second best as they lost 2-0 to a rampant Busoga United side.
Speaking ahead of his team’s visit to Lugogo, Ssemwogerere noted that his players are ready to try and win the game despite playing on artificial turf.
“We are ready just like any other game, noted the lanky tactician.
“There is nothing new we can pick out but we are ready to try and get all three points.
“We are playing on artificial turf and we cannot remove it nor tell them to change it.
“What we have to do is adjust and play on it very well.”
Express FC will be without the duo of Frank Ssenyondo and Muhammad Yiga who are both suspended for accumulation of yellow cards. Hamdan Nsubuga and Ivan Ocholit who both missed the loss to Busoga have recovered from their respective injuries and are expected to feature. For Cyrus Kibande and Martin Kizza, they remain out due to injury.
Match Facts
This will be the 21st meeting between the two sides since October 2010.
In the previous 20 match-ups, Express have won 9, Police 5 with the other 6 all ending in draws.
Express comes into the contest having won three of the last five fixtures with Police FC, losing the other two.
Last season, these two sides faced off three times with the Red Eagles winning twice while Police won once.
The reverse fixture last campaign saw Express beat Police 3-1 and the Cops also went down 3-5 in the first meeting of the two sides this season.
Police FC heads into the contest on a four-game unbeaten run, winning three and drawing the other.
At home, they have won two of their past six games (D2 L2).
For Express, they enter the contest having won just one of their previous five encounters (D2 L2).
Away from home, the Red Eagles have won two of their past five games (D1 L2).
The other games on Wednesday
-Mbarara City FC vs Wakiso Giants FC @4pm
-BUL FC vs URA FC @4:30pm
-Kyetume FC vs Tooro United FC @4:30pm
