GPL Preview: Legon Cities vs Hearts of Oak, Royals target win against Phobians 

second round of the ongoing Ghana Premier League continues on Saturday when defending champions Accra Hearts of Oak make a short trip across the capital to face Legon Cities.

The El Wak stadium will host this tantalizing fixture that promises fireworks from both sides.

Legon Cities FC, the home side aim for a winning start after failing to impress during the first round.

The Royals ended the first half of the campaign with a win over King Faisal but it could only help them escape the drop zone for a while. They will need to build up points as quickly as possible to avoid a late scramble for survival in Ghanas top flight.

That win over King Faisal meant, Legon Cities have lost only once in their last six League games (Winning 3, drawing 2).

Head Coach Maxwell Konadu saw his side claim 21 points and to finish the first round in 12th place. A win against Hearts will improve their position in the League standings.

Jonah Attuquaye powered them to a vital win against King Faisal on Match Day 17 – bringing to an end a five match winless run. The former Berekum Chelsea talisman has been very influential in their set up since joining last season as one of their marque signings.

Goalkeeper Eric Ofori Antwi who claimed the Man of the Match award in the first round of the season is back from injury and expected to man the post on Saturday.

Legon Cities won 5, drew 6 and lost 6 in the first round of the season and will place premium on beating Hearts of Oak to climb up the table.

Accra Hearts of Oak trail their arch rivals Asante Kotoko by 12 points and sit 6 places below their bitterest rivals in the League log. But hold a 4 point lead against their host going into the match. With four wins, three draws and three defeats in their last nine Premier League matches, Accra Hearts of Oak are under some intense pressure to get their season back on track with a win.

The Phobians go into the game without one of their stalwarts, Gladson Awako due to suspension. The former Great Olympics player is unavailable after picking up a yellow card on Sunday. His absence means Sulley Muntari will play a key role in the match against Legon Cities as he continues to impact positively on the team – having made three appearances since he signed.

The former Inter Milan man came on as a second half substitute against Great Olympics before featuring for about 75 minutes against Real Tamale United on Match Day 17 but none of those games ended in a win as Hearts lost to Olympics and drew goalless with RTU.

He was specular against Asante Kotoko but made way for Frederick Ansah Botchwey in the second half. Dennis Korsah – wowed the crowd on Sunday after putting up a near perfect performance that won him the Man of the Match award.

The Phobians have lost one (1-0 to Great Olympics), drawn two (0-0 against Bechem United, Asante Kotoko) and won four (Accra Lions, Berekum Chelsea, Eleven Wonders and King Faisal) in their last seven matches in Accra.

Their leading scorer Kofi Kordzie (7 goals), fired blank against Asante Kotoko as he made a second half appearance in place of Daniel Afriyie Barnieh. But they have found other sources of goals from Barnieh, Sewornu and Kojo Obeng Jnr.

The Accra city derby is billed for the El wak stadium on Saturday, February 26, 2022.