Hearts of Oak welcome Bibiani Gold Stars to the ‘Nation’s Wembley’ Accra Sports Stadium in week four of the BetPawa Premier League today.
The Rainbows have gone without win in their last three league games, while the visitors enter the fixture with one win.
Hearts of Oak have won their last two Premier League games against Gold Stars and are looking forward to a third consecutive win on Saturday.
The last time these two teams met, the Rainbows swept Michael Osei’s side aside at at the Accra Sports Stadium, winning the match 1-0.
Serbian tactician who was appointed as the new gaffer to replace Samuel Boadu last week will aim to snatch first win for the Phobians.
They will go into the game without their two youngsters, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Suraj Seidu who are on international duty with the Black Meteors for the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifier against Mozambique.
Barnieh has yet to score for the former Champions in the ongoing season but his contribution to their success over the last two seasons has been absolutely enormous. In his absence Coach Matic would fall on Kwadwo Obeng Jnr. and Junior Kaba for cover – and expect them to deliver against the Miners on Saturday.
Accra Hearts of Oak lost 1-0 to Aduana FC, drew 1-1 with city rivals Accra Great Olympics before coming from behind to draw 1-1 with arch rivals Asante Kotoko on matchday three. A lot is also expected of Konadu Yiadom, Dennis Korsah, Samuel Inkoom, Mohammed Alhassan, Gladson Awako and Eric Esso who are key figures in the team. Awako, Alhassan, Inkoom and Korsah played a key part to their success last season following the MTN FA Cup and Presidents Cup triumph.
However, Bibiani Gold Stars also opened the season with two defeats against Dreams FC (1-0) and Nsoatreman FC (1-0) before picking their first win against Bechem United (1-0) on Matchday three. Accra Hearts of Oak have drawn two and lost one of their first three matches of the season – a performance that resulted in the dismissal of Samuel Boadu.
Ahead of the encounter, Hearts coach Slavko Matić has no fresh injury concerns.
Daniel Afriyie Barnieh’s absence will see the front three being occupied by Gideon Asante, Obeng Junior and Isaac Mensah.
Samuel Inkoom, Konadu Yiadom, Dennis Korsah and Addo Sowah may feature at the defense.
While Awako and Eric Esso will expect to hold the midfield with Caleb Amankwa also playing as a defensive midfielder.
HEARTS OF OAK PROBABLE LINE-UP AGAINST GOLD STARS
Richmond Ayi
Samuel Inkoom
Addo Sowah
Konadu Yiadom
Dennis Korsah
Caleb Amankwah
Gideon Asante
Eric Esso
Awako Gladson
Isaac Mensah
Obeng Junior