With Ghanaian giants Hearts of Oak lying precariously on the league log, Joy Sports analyzes the last five matches of the Phobians and their probable outcomes of the 20-time league champions.
Our man Kweku Arhin also engages in a dicey predicition game which is likely to split opinion. Let the debate begin!
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Liberty v Hearts, Carl Reindorf Park
The Phobians' game against the Dansoman side will be one of Wednesday's matchday 26 fixtures - the rest are pictured below.
And it begins their survival fight. This tie will have a real relegation feel to it also as Liberty are not free of danger themselves.
The Dansoman side have 34 points, just four off the drop zone and a defeat could see their stay in the league under severe threat. That's because they will be only a point away from the red line.
The last five clashes between Hearts and Liberty have seen the Phobians have the upper hand as they have recorded three wins out of five.
The only draw in their last five fixtures came in this year’s first round fixture with Richard Yamoah grabbing a late equalizer for the Phobians.
Hearts suffered defeat on their last trip to Dansoman and a repeat of this result will spell more doom for the Phobians. This game will not be easy and as Liberty sympathizer Godfred Akoto Boafo said on Asempa FM: “Liberty will give Hearts of Oak a run for their money and wallop them."
Verdict: Draw
Hearts v Bechem United, Accra Sports Stadium
The first of the two remaining home fixtures for the Phobians will see them engage another relegation team Bechem United.
The Bechem side are currently four points better off than the Phobians but face a tricky test against Ashantigold prior to coming to Accra. The Bechem side defeated Hearts in the first round of the league and will be itching to complete a double over the Phobians.
Hearts will be buoyed by the fact Bechem United are poor travelers on the road having recorded no victory on the road yet. Their last trip to Accra this season ended in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Accra Great Olympics.
Emmanuel Hayford and Robin Gnagne found the net for the Phobians the last time they hosted Bechem in Accra.
Verdict: Hearts win
Medeama v Hearts, Tarkwa T&A Park
The Phobians travel to Tarkwa in what resembles their most difficult fixture remaining on paper.
The Yellow and Mauves have proven to be a bogey side for Hearts of Oak in recent times. They have inflicted much misery to Hearts both in the league and FA Cup.
In their last five fixtures, Hearts are yet to record a win against Medeama suffering three defeats in the process. The Tarkwa side have defeated Hearts twice in the semifinals of the FA Cup in the last four years.
Their first round meeting ended in a 2-2 draw and the Yellow and Mauves will be the last team on the fixture list Hearts will want to face.
Given Hearts predicaments and the fact that they have already been to Tarkwa to earn a respectable draw in the Elites Cup, Hearts can come up with a dogged performance and leave with a point or even carry the maximum points on the day.
Verdict: Draw
Hearts v Berekum Chelsea, Accra Sports Stadium
Both teams were involved the highest scoring game of the season so far in the first round.
They were involved in a six goal thriller with Chelsea winning by four goals to two. The last five games between both sides have seen the home teams winning the tie and with 13 goals goals recorded in these five ties. Judging by this, we are assured of more goals in this penultimate round of fixtures.
The Phobians urgent need for the points will aid in their quest to clinch all three points. Chelsea themselves have been poor on the road winning only one away game this season. Ironically, it was against Hearts bitterest rivals, Kotoko. Only one team has beaten Hearts and Kotoko away from home this season and that was New Edubiase. The chances of Chelsea replicating Edubiase’s record is very slim.
Hearts good fortune against Chelsea in Accra is set to continue.
Verdict: Hearts win
WAFA v Hearts, Sogakope Academy Park
The Phobians have been perennially good against WAFA since their Gomoa Feyenoord days and this trend is likely to follow in the last fixture of the Premier League.
The Phobians won the first round by a single goal courtesy Gilbert Fiamenyo and similar outcome will not come as a major surprise. The Sogakope side are all but safe in this year’s league and their last fixture with the Phobians can be played without the much needed nerves accustomed to playing with playing last day matches of the league. Hearts greater need for the points can see them edging the tie.
Verdict: Hearts win
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CLICK TO READ: Dark history looms over Hearts scapegoat Eddie Ansah
CLICK TO READ: Analysis - Ansah praises team, confident of survival
CLICK TO READ: How Duncan outsmarted Hearts
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