Mubiru’s cops visit struggling Villa Sports Club

Match day 21 of the Uganda Premier league continues Wednesday with Sports Club Villa hosting Police, the headline game of the day.

For the first time in a long while, record league champions SC Villa are not anywhere in the title fight or talk as the club continues to dwindle in the lower reaches of the league table. The club has however, managed to distance itself from relegation talk.

But only for now.

2005 league Champions Police FC have also had their own struggles, nearly surviving relegation on the last day of the 2016/2017 season but have since picked up and re-established themselves as a stable mid table team.

All eyes will be on the battle between the league’s top goal getters, Jogoo’s Bashir Mutanda and current top scorer Juma Balinnya. But the tactical approach of both coaches will go a long way in determining which side will have the edge.

Police’s Abdallah Mubiru favours a mixture of short sleek passes with quick fast transitions while Douglas Bamweyana’s approach of fast build ups and long balls over the top to runners in-behind is a stark contrast.

This fixture has seen some of the closest games in the league over the years with five of the past eight encounters ending in stalemates. The three wins in that period ended with a 1 goal triumph.

Villa are currently in rich form as they have gone four games unbeaten drawing twice and winning twice including the 3-1 win away to Vipers.

But they will be without forward Joseph Semujju who is still recovering from injury while left back Derrick Ndahiro is suspended. Ashiraf Mandela and defender Asuman Harishe who missed their last game with athletes’ foot are back. Yusuf Wasswa and Ronald Muhindo are also expected to make the squad.

Police on the other hand have no serious injury concerns. However striker Ronald Nyanzi is still away on compassionate leave but Ruben Kimera who was rested against KCCA is back. Ivan Bukenya is also expected to make his debut in defence.

The last encounter between these two ended in a 2-2 stalemate with Villa throwing away a two goal first half lead.