StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Friday, 4pm
Vipers SC vs Express, Kitende (Live)
Mbarara City vs Paidha Black Angels, Kakyeka
Vipers SC host Express FC this Friday at St Mary’s stadium, Kitende seeking victory to close gap on leaders KCCA FC. The reigning champions come off a barren stalemate against Onduparaka in Arua while the Red Eagles snatched a 1-0 win away at Ndejje University. With the sides settling for a 1-1 score at Betway Muteesa II stadium in Wankulukuku during the first round controversial tie, the Venoms need to work harder against Express that seeks to avenge the 5-0 thumping at Kitende last term. Express will be without Disan Galiwango due to suspension, Frank Tumwesigye Zaga cannot play against mother club, Charles Musoke and Eric Kambale are also ruled out while Arthur Kiggundu faces late fitness test. The hosts have Livingstone Mulondo and Geoffrey Wasswa doubtful while Bashir Asiku returns from injury. Moses Waiswa and Yayo Lutimba could return to match day squad after being dropped for the last three straight outings. Coach Michael Nam Ouma is optimistic they will make home advantage count. “We have the obligation to close gap on KCCA and there will be no variation on what we usually do. Matches of this importance are always difficult but we are focused on securing maximum points,” he noted. Express has played two games on artificial turf this season –winning and losing once respectively. George Ssemwogerere will hope that Tony Odur puts on his scoring boots –having already notched five goals this season and also having already scored five against the Kitende based side that he dumped for Express at the start of the current season. Tony Odur is also the leading goal scorer in the league engagements between the two clubs with 10 goals to his name. He scored 6 for Vipers out of 10 matches against Express while has 4 for the Red Eagles against the Venoms from 5 matches. Out of the 13 league fixtures Vipers has hosted Express, the Venoms have won 9, drawn 2 and lost 2 matches scoring 19 goals and conceding 9 in the process. Should the Venoms prevail over Express, they will temporarily move level on 45 points with table leaders KCCA FC who will be hosting rivals SC Villa on Saturday. Express will move three places to at least 6th position with victory. Meanwhile, 3rd placed Mbarara return to their Kakyeka stadium for the first time since Onduparaka ended their unbeaten home run with a 2-1 defeat, as they host bottom side Paidha Black Angels. The Ankole Lions have lost their previous two games against the Caterpillars and Kirinya Jinja SSS respectively.