Saturday, January 4, 2025, promises an action-packed evening in the Uganda Premier League (UPL) as NEC FC host Mbarara City at Lugogo, while SC Villa face URA FC at Luzira Prison Grounds.
NEC, currently second on the table with 27 points, trail league leaders Vipers SC by four points. Hussein Mbalangu’s side will be keen to secure maximum points to keep up the pressure on the Venoms, who edged UPDF FC 1-0 on Friday.
The home side goes into the clash as favorites, considering Mbarara City’s struggles this season, sitting 12th with only 14 points. NEC also boasts a positive record against the Ankole Lions, having defeated them both home and away last season.
Meanwhile, at Luzira, defending champions SC Villa host sixth-placed URA FC in what promises to be an intense encounter. Villa, currently 10th with 17 points, will look to end their four-game winless run and reignite their title defense.
A win could mark a turning point in their season, as the Jogoos aim to replicate their victory over URA in the corresponding fixture last season, which helped secure their 17th league title.
URA, on the other hand, are in good form, having won three of their last four matches. Sitting on 21 points, a victory for the Tax Collectors would see them leap to joint third with KCCA FC, solidifying their title challenge.
