The #JoySports team looks ahead to week 22 of the First Capital Plus Premier League as the race for the title tightens and the relegation makes for great viewing. 

Following the dramatic shake up at the top of the table last week, many teams will be hoping to consolidate or, better still, improve on their standings on the table.

The subplots are many, too.

EDITOR'S UPDATE: BA United lost 0-2 to Inter Allies on Saturday. [Click here for match report]

Hasaacas drew 1-1 with Wa All Stars, also on Saturday.

Aduana v Hearts of Oak

Aduana are in Dormaa as Hearts of Oak come to town. 

All eyes will be on the Phobians following their managerial problems. Earlier in the week, Herbert Addo was let go along with his assistant and the team's woes worsened when they lost in the Elite Cup against Dwarfs. 

Eddie Ansah, the goalkeeper's trainer, has been put in charge of the team and will be hoping to get the Phobians their first win in four matches.

“I believe I am more capable to handle Hearts of Oak. I do not have any working experience because I have not coached any team, but I believe I can do a good job," Ansah told Oman FM.

"I will lead the team to a respectable position if I am handed the job,” he went on.

Aduana will want to take advantage of Hearts’ troubles to compensate their loss to AshGold last wekend. The Dormaa side are still in the haunt for the title and a win could see their chances boosted especially when Ashantigold face a trick test in Kpando. 

Aduana (4th) last five games: L W L W L
Hearts (12th) last five games: L D D L W

Lions v AshGold

The league leaders will travel to play Hearts of Lions. It appears this “Hearts” are also struggling. Just like Hearts of Oak, Lions lost their last game to WAFA and have tasted a sanction from the FA for supporter violence. 

After hitting the 40-point mark, AshGold’s seven point gap lead does not appear to be in trouble soon. They will be hoping to continue from where they left off when they beat Aduana by a lone goal. 

Having been awarded a new contract this week, Bashiru Hayford will want a win to crown off a successful week for him as they seek to tighten their grip on the league title.

He said: "If we have stretched the lead by 7 points, then we are cruising towards the winning of the league but I'm not saying it is automatic. No!"

"Anything at all can happen but we are going to guide against things that will may be prevent us from winning the league. I think we are on course."

Lions (14th) last five games: L D L D L
AshGold (1st) last five games: W L W D W

Kotoko v Berekum Chelsea

The encounter will see a resurgent Chelsea, who moved to second in Week 21, face Kotoko in Kumasi.

Kotoko’s loss to Dunkwa, a Division One side, in the Elite Cup exposed their deepening cracks.

Hearts’ woes may have shifted the attention from the Porcupines but not its problems. Chelsea will hope to capitalize on this to increase their chances of catching up with AshGold at the top. The Berekum side have an abysmal record away from home having last won in March 2013.

Their last trip to Kumasi ended 2-1 to the Porcupines. Should Solomon Odwo and his charges mount a title charge, this poor form away must be halted and what better place to stop the rot than Kumasi?

Kotoko (10th) last five games: D W L W L
Chelsea (2nd) last five games: W D W L W

 

Olympics v Bechem United.

Great Olympics will be come into the game on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Inter Allies two weeks ago. Olympics have however been boosted following two successive weeks in the Elite Cup.

Bechem United also come into the game after winning at home against Liberty in Week 21. The Bechem Side have a potential game changer in Cofie Bekoe in their ranks and will be hoping the former Petrojet player can produce a stelar performance to fetch them all three points.

Olympics (15th) last five games: L W L L L 
Bechem (11th) last five games: W L W D W

 

Liberty v Medeama SC

The last time both teams met, the game ended 1-1.

The teams will be hoping to settle it this time round. Although they sit comfortably around the middle of the table, their last few matches have not gone quite well.

Liberty will hope that home fans will spur them on for their first victory in three matches. Kennedy Ashia is in top form for the Dansoman side having scored five goals in his last four matches for the scientific soccer lads.

He faces his rival for the goal king, Nathaniel Asamoah, who has not been prolific in the road for the Tarkwa side. More frightening for Medeama will be the fact that Ashia has scored four in his last two games.

The MTN FA Cup finalists will be counting on two goal hero Kwasi Donsu to perform my heroics should Nathaniel Asamoah continue with his poor run away from home.

Liberty (8th) last five games: L L W D W
Medeama (9th) last five games: D L W L D

Edubiase FC v WAFA

New Edubiase sit just a point above the relegation zone with 26 points after 21 games. Edubiase’s last encounter with Berekum Chelsea end 2-0 in favour of the latter. While Chelsea shot to the 2nd on the log from 5th, Edubiase went down to 13th from 9th. They will hoping to compensate for that loss in front of their home fans when they take on third place WAFA who won their last game against Lions 2-1. 

Edubiase (13th) last five games: L W D D L 
WAFA (3rd) last five games: W L W D D 

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The Joy Sports Team will be bringing live updates on Sports Arena on Sunday from 3pm, anchored by Gary Al-Smith. Follow minute by minute updates on Twitter and Facebook with the #JoySports hashtag