ASHGOLD VS INTER ALLIES
Heading towards the final game of the season, Ashantigold’s form in the league is nothing to write home about. But with their last game in the league at home against already relegated Inter Allies, the Miners should win this match to appease their fans. The goals have dried up for the Obuasi-based side as they have not found the back of the net in their past three matches. Their game against Inter Allies provides them with the perfect opportunity to exorcise their attackers’ fear in front of the goal and win this fixture.
Inter Allies head back to Division One after their final match away against AshantiGold. They have lost their previous five matches in the league and this trend is set to end with yet another defeat. The final nail in their coffin was hit just a few weeks ago, as their relegation was finally confirmed. Their final match in the league provides them the opportunity to salvage some pride. But is there any pride left in the team’s tank after a run of abysmal performances?
| MATCH INFO | |||
| Venue | Len Clay Sports Stadium, Obuasi | ||
| Date and Time | Saturday July 17, 2021 3:00pm | ||
| Form | Ashgold: DLDWW | Inter Allies: LLLLL | |
| Position | 10th (42 pts) | 18th (26 pts) | |
PREDICTION 2-1
KOTOKO VS ELMINA SHARKS
Kotoko will end the league in a disappointing fashion after they surrendered top spot and the ultimately, the title to Accra Hearts of Oak. Their form was decent but not strong enough to earn them the coveted prize. Some may blame the inconsistency to the lack of a logn-standing, consistent home ground. The Kumasi Sport Stadium will be ready for next season, but with one more opportunity at their adopted home to console their fans, they will have to overcome a struggling Elmina Sharks.
The sharks are clinging on to their final hope to maintain their premier league status. Leaving it late can come with consequences – one for which they will not want to be on the wrong side. They have a better goal difference than King Faisal, but worse off by two vital points. It is a do or die for the Elmina lads and the results of fellow relegation strugglers such as Legon Cities and Liberty Professionals will have a telling impact on whether they will remain in the league or not. Kotoko suffered a defeat and may not want Elmina Sharks to do a double over them.
| MATCH INFO | |||
| Venue | Len Clay Sports Stadium, Obuasi | ||
| Date and Time | Sunday July 18, 2021 3:00pm | ||
| Form | Kotoko: LDLWW | Elmina Sharks: WLDLW | |
| Position | 2nd (57 pts) | 17th (38 pts) | |
PREDICTION 1-1
WAFA VS HEARTS OF OAK
After 9 long months of exhilarating football, it all comes down to the final weekend where Wafa could cement 3rd spot with a win against the ‘to be crowned champions’ Hearts of Oak. The Sogakope boys could as well walk home with a prize money of GHs 80,000.00 for the 3rd placed team. After already achieving a feat of 53 points which is their best points tally since rejoining the top tier in 14/15, they will be poised to halt Hearts’ run of 14 matches unbeaten in all competitions.
Accra Hearts of Oak after 12 long years will finally be crowned champions again of the Ghana Premier League after their matchday 34 tie against Wafa at Sogakope. The Phobians have won the league with a game to spare adding up to 21 league titles and will thus be served a guard of honour by their hosts. In a season of many highs and little lows, the Phobians success story will be largely remembered for their 2nd round exploits where they came out all guns blazing after 2 major signings in Coach Samuel Boadu from Medeama and creative force Ibrahim Salifu from Eleven Wonders, who both led them in turning their fortunes around. Hearts are guaranteed GHS250,000.00 and a place in the CAF Champions League next season as Ghana’s sole representative.
Hearts last lost to WAFA 2 years ago but remain unbeaten in their last 3 meetings. As Hearts remain 11 unbeaten in the league, their hosts are also on a 5-game unbeaten run with no goals conceded in their last games; their best form all season. Expect a tight encounter with both teams giving almost nothing away.
| MATCH INFO | |||
| Venue | Sogakope Sports Stadium, Sogakope | ||
| Date and Time | Saturday July 17, 2021 3:00pm | ||
| Form | WAFA: WWDWD | Hearts of Oak: DDWWW | |
| Position | 3rd (53 pts) | 1st (61 pts) | |
PREDICTION 1-1
LIBERTY VS KING FAISAL
Liberty and King Faisal are set up for a grueling encounter that will almost certainly see either of them facing the drop. It had been coming as before the pandemic outbreak that cut short the past season, they were both lurking around the drop zone. For Liberty in particular, the past 5 seasons have proved turbid to their usual top half finishes as they have just not been ‘simply the best’. They have been either in and amongst candidates for the drop, only managing to survive at the death or have been saved by circumstances where the league has ended abruptly. Now more than ever, they will need their lady luck to provide a 6th charm before they kiss their 22-year stay in the topflight goodbye.
Alhaji Grunsah’s King Faisal who have more experience in the league than their host having been in and out of the topflight for over 25 years yet again find themselves in a fiery encounter where they must at least gain a point to survive. As compared to past seasons where they have lost similar relegation scrap games, they now stand a better chance as the form guide is on their side. Unbeaten in 5, they seek to make it 6; one that books their ticket for another campaign in the topflight. Top marksman, Kwame Preprah won the MVP award last matchday against Ebusua Dwarfs, making it a 3rd straight award. No other player has achieved such feat. As he has become the subject of an imminent transfer lately, he would be poised in making a mark of keeping his team up.
| MATCH INFO | |||
| Venue | Sogakope Sports Stadium, Sogakope | ||
| Date and Time | Sunday July 18, 2021 3:00pm | ||
| Form | Liberty: DWWLL | King Faisal: WDWDW | |
| Position | 15th (39 pts) | 13th (40 pts) | |
PREDICTION 1-1
OLYMPICS VS DREAMS FC
Olympics will take on Dreams FC in a game week 34. Both teams are guaranteed a place in next season’s final. The Olympic’s form dipped at the tail end the season, but the hard work put in during the season has paid off. They have lost their last two games and a third loss will be unacceptable.
Dreams FC have had a good season. They have steadily moved up the league table after they hit a rich vein of form. They were beaten by a lone goal when the two teams met earlier in the season. Dreams will be aiming to get their revenge to give their fans something to cheer about as the season draws to a close.
| MATCH INFO | |||
| Venue | Accra Sports Stadium, Accra | ||
| Date and Time | Saturday July 17, 2021 3:00pm | ||
| Form | Great Olympics: LLDWL | Dreams FC: DLLWL | |
| Position | 6th (49 pts) | 6th (49 pts) | |
PREDICTION: 1-0
MEDEAMA VS BEREKUM CHELSEA
The men from the West have given a good account of themselves this season, as they sat atop the league during certain times of the season. They have the chance to pocket GHS80,000 if they place 3rd on the table. The only stumbling block are their opponents for the final match day, and the possibly favourable results of WAFA and Aduana, who are placed 3rd and 4th respectively. The stakes in this match may not be high, but the respectability of placing third behind the two giants of Ghanaian football is something worth aiming at.
Berekum Chelsea secured their status in the league after their last win against Great Olympics. When it counted, they did not succumb to the pressure the then visiting team posed. It is difficult to think that they can grab a win at the Akoon park. The current circumstance presents the perfect opportunity to record a win in arguably the most feared ground in Tarkwa.
| MATCH INFO | |||
| Venue | Akoon Park, Tarkwa | ||
| Date and Time | Sunday July 18, 2021 3:00pm | ||
| Form | Medeama: LWDDL | Berekum Chelsea: WWLWL | |
| Position | 5th (51 pts) | 9th (51 pts) | |
PREDICTION: 2-0
DWARFS VS BECHEM UNITED
Ebusua Dwarfs will face off with Bechem United in a game week 34 match. The match promises to come with all the thrills and excitement that comes with the final day of the league season. Dwarfs will have to win this match at all costs if they are to have any chance of stay in the league for next season. Playing at home will give them a great advantage they need to capitalize on.
Bechem United are guaranteed a place in next season’s league but would want to finish the season on a high. They will be high on morale after beating the porcupine warriors in their game week 33 match which ultimately handed the league title to Accra Hearts of Oak.
| MATCH INFO | |||
| Venue | Cape Coast Stadium, Cape Coast | ||
| Date and Time | Sunday July 18, 2021 3:00pm | ||
| Form | Ebusua Dwarfs: LDWWL | Bechem United: WDDLW | |
| Position | 16th (38 pts) | 12th (42 pts) | |
PREDICTION: 1-0
LEGON CITIES VS ELEVEN WONDERS
How did Legon Cities end up here? They were able to turn around their season and a top half finish in the league was not beyond them a few weeks ago. Now, they are deeply involved in the relegation battle and only a win will save them from being relegated. Their last victory in the league came on Matchday 28, where they won by a lone goal against Inter Allies. They must produce yet another disciplined performance against Eleven Wonders, or they can say farewell to the Ghana Premier League for next season.
Techiman Eleven Wonders are mathematically safe from relegation with 42 points after 33 matches played. Even if they lose in their final game against Legon Cities, they will return to play in the Ghana Premier League next season. Eleven Wonders managed to secure safety by winning their last three matches with some breathtaking performances. Who would have thought Eleven Wonder would have been able to defeat the Oly Dade Boys away from home and add to that victory with a thumping 3-1 victory over Medeama? With their mission accomplished, and preparations to begin earnestly for the new season, will they end their season on a high note or take their foot off the pedal with their Premier League status confirmed?
| MATCH INFO | |||
| Venue | Accra Sports Stadium, Accra | ||
| Date and Time | Sunday July 18, 2021 3:00pm | ||
| Form | Legon Cities: LDLLL | Eleven Wonders: WWWLL | |
| Position | 14th (39 pts) | 11th (42 pts) | |
2-1
ADUANA VS KARELA
The fire boys will bow end the league at home against Ainyinase-based Karela. After many inconsistent performances, they are cemented their place amongst the top 6. Their positive form in the last two months has been the secret behind their current placing on the league table. Looking into the new season, they will have to work on their defence, as they have a goal difference of only +1: not befitting of a team in the top 6 of the league. They can start righting those wrongs against an embattled Karela United side.
The visitors have not had much luck in their last 4 games, losing all those matches. Their indefinite ban from playing at their Crosby Awuah Memorial Park has taken an adverse toll on their performances. They will finish the league in 8th position, no matter what happens to teams above or below them on the table.
| MATCH INFO | |||
| Venue | Nana Agyeman Badu Park, Dormaa | ||
| Date and Time | Sunday July 18, 2021 3:00pm | ||
| Form | Aduana Stars: WWWLW | Karela: LLLLW | |
| Position | 4th (52 pts) | 8th (46 pts) | |
PREDICTION: 3-1
