GPL: Four key games to lookout for on matchday 4

For the second week running, the Ghana Premier League will see seven matches played in a round instead of nine.

This is due to Asante Kotoko and AshGold’s adventure in Africa.

However, the seven matches are expected to still serve some cracking encounters as the table starts to take shape.

Last week, our four selected games saw the debut of Asamoah Gyan, a contender for goal of the season by Richmond Lamptey and an intriguing game between Karela and Dreams FC.

These are the four key games you can’t afford to miss this matchday:

Hearts of Oak vs Karela United

Kosta Papic is expected to take charge of his first game when his new side Hearts of Oak welcome table toppers Karela United.

It has been a difficult start for Hearts who are yet to pick a win in their first two seasons.

The Phobians drew at home to AshGold and lost against Inter Allies resulting in the demotion of Nii Odoom.

The 20-time champions acted quickly by appointing Papic, a statement of the club’s intent to end their 11-year trophy drought.

Next in line is the in-form Karela who are yet to lose a match this season. The Aiyinase-based side are currently top of the table after drawing against AshGold and beating both Inter Allies and Dreams.

Karela will draw confidence from head-to-head matches with Hearts having won twice, drawn once and lost just once against the Accra-based side.

Stadium: Accra Sports stadium, Accra

Time: Friday, 18:00GMT

Prediction: Hearts of Oak 1-1 Karela United

Dreams FC vs Legon Cities

Dreams FC and Legon Cities both come into this game at the back of disappointing results and will be after a convincing result to get their season back on track.

The Still Believe lads return to their home turf where they beat Medeama 2-1 on matchday two and head coach of the side Winfred Dormon believes his side will return to winning ways.

“I am expecting a reaction from the boys against Legon Cities and I know we are going to carry the day. We had a lot of chances in the first half which we should have buried the game.”

“It’s worrying but I believe in my boys to deliver against Legon Cities,” he added.

Legon Cities are winless this season and visit the Theatre of Dreams, a venue they are yet to pick a win. However, Asamoah Gyan who made his debut against Medeama is confident his side can get a positive result.

“If we go to the game with the same attitude, the same mentality, I think we can be able to do something positive there [in Dawu]. I believe in the boys and I think this is just the beginning. We started slowly in this league,” the striker said after the Medeama game.

Dreams are unbeaten at Dawu against Legon Cities since 2016, winning once and drawing twice.

Stadium: Theatre of Dreams, Dawu

Time: Sunday, 15:00GMT

Prediction: Dreams FC 3-1 Legon Cities

Great Olympics vs Ebusua Dwarfs

After getting a much needed rest on matchday two due Kotoko’s engagement in Africa, Great Olympics return to action against Ebusua Dwarfs at the Accra Sports stadium.

Olympics are unbeaten this season and victory could send them to the summit of the table.

There has been renewed energy in the camp of Annor Walker with his signings hitting the ground running this season.

However, Ebusua Dwarfs have also showed good form so far this season, picking up four points in three games.

They head into this game after victory over Berekum Chelsea last matchday and will be confident of causing an upset in Accra.

Oly Dade have an impressive 100% record against Dwarfs at the Accra Sports stadium winning both games with an aggregate score of 3-0.

Stadium: Accra Sports stadium, Accra

Time: Sunday, 15:00GMT

Prediction: Great Olympics 1-0 Ebusua Dwarfs

King Faisal vs Inter Allies

King Faisal did not feature last matchday due to AshGold’s exploits in Africa. As a result, the Insha Allah boys should be well rested when they welcome Inter Allies at the Ohene Ameyaw Park on matchday four.

The Kumasi-based side outdoored their new bus this week and will be officialy using it for the first time in their game this weekend.

King Faisal are yet to pick a win this season, but have been enterprising going forward scoring four goals in two games.

The problem however, has been at the back where Slaviša Bozicic’s men have been leaky conceding five so far.

Up next is a tricky tie against Inter Allies who have found form at the right time. The Eleven is to One recently beat Hearts of Oak and will look to build upon that.

Henrik Lehm’s side have four points from three games but concerns have been raised about the lack of goals with the Accra-based side managing just one so far.

The last time both sides met at King Faisal’s home was 7 years ago with the Insha Allah boys beating Inter Allies 1-0.

Stadium: Ohene Ameyaw Park, Techiman

Time: Saturday, 15:00GMT

Prediction: King Faisal 1-1 Inter Allies