Uganda Premier League
BUL FC vs Vipers SC
FUFA Technical Center, Njeru
Sunday, 09-02-2020 @4pm
Vipers SC will be hoping to retain their five point lead at the top of the Uganda Premier League when they take on BUL FC at the FUFA Technical Center in Njeru on Sunday.
The Venoms went into match-day 21 leading by five clear points but after second-placed FC defeated Maroons 2-1 on Tuesday, the lead was chopped to two.
Three points will feel like a must for the Venoms who take on KCCA FC on match-day 22.
Vipers recent form has not been the best as they have lost two of their last four games across all competitions.
However they defeated Onduparaka FC 1-0 in their latest outing, something that will boost their confidence against a usually tricky BUL FC side.
“Everybody who goes to play Bul in Njeru knows that they will get a difficult game, noted Vipers head coach Fred Kajoba as quoted by Vipers.com.
“That’s why we want to focus on being at our clinical best because Bul is a game where you want to take the points and consolidate the league lead.
“But all in all, you know we will need to fight to get the maximum points.”
Vipers defender Bashir Asiku is back after recovering from an ankle problem he picked last month during a training session. But the match has come a little too early for striker Muhammad Shaban, who is in the final recovery stages of the meniscus injury with a possible return likely at the backend of the month. Livingstone Mulondo recently underwent successful surgery and is in the rehabilitation process with an anticipated four to six months duration on the sidelines. Youthful Karim Watambala is also a doubt for the trip to Njeru following a knock he suffered during the 1-0 win over Onduparaka as well as the trio of skipper Halid Lwaliwa (knee problem), Siraje Ssentamu (tight hamstring) and Farouk Musisi, who is scheduled to undergo a CT scan to determine whether or not he will need surgery on his troublesome knee.
For BUL, they have been in poor form for the last two months or so.
They have not won any of their last 8 matches in all competitions (D3 L5).
BUL replaced Peter Onen with Arthur Kyesimira but their fortunes are yet to change.
In the two games he has been in charge, they have drawn with Wakiso and lost to Busoga United.
Currently, they are 6th on the log with 30 points and sit 8 points above the relegation zone.
A similar run of poor results may see the Jinja based side dragged into the drop scrap and will want to avoid such a scenario as soon as possible.
Match Facts
This will be the 18th meeting between the two sides since November 2011.
In the previous 17 match-ups, Vipers have won ten, BUL two with te other five ending in draws.
Vipers are unbeaten in their last 7 games BUL, winning six and drawing once.
Last season, Vipers won all two league encounters including a 3-1 victory in the reverse fixture last season.
The first meeting between the two sides this season ended in a 2-1 victory for Vipers SC.
Going into the game, BUL are winless in their last five league games, losing four and drawing the other.
At home, they have not tasted victory in their three outings, drawing twice and losing the other.
