Third-placed City Stars will host ninth-placed Tusker on Sunday in a Kenya Premier League fixture starting at 13:00 GMT.
Match Preview
Tusker can pull to within two points of City Stars with a win. On the other hand, City Stars can extent their gap to Tusker from the current five to eight points.
Both teams have unbeaten runs in the KPL on the line. City Stars are unbeaten in four rounds of fixtures, whereas Tusker have not lost in three outings.
With City Stars within five points of league leaders Kakamega Homeboyz, they cannot afford to lose if they are to remain in the hunt for the title. Tusker are looking to escape mid-table mediocrity and move up the table. This match will be consequential for both teams.
Form Guide
City Stars
City Stars have won two matches, drawn two, and lost one match in their last five outings in the KPL.
They have ended up with eight points and dropped seven in this run. Currently, they sit 3rd on the table with 28 points from 16 matches played in the KPL.
Tusker
In the last five rounds of KPL fixtures, Tusker have hauled 7 points from the available 15. They have won two matches, drew one, and lost two.
Tusker’s run of form sees them sit 9th on the table with 23 points after 16 rounds of KPL outings this season.
Possible Starting Lineups
City Stars
Njunge, Okumu, Kennedy Onyango, Abdalla, Omwenga, Yidah, Otieno, Kimani, Okumu, Maloba, Kipkirui
Tusker
Matasi, Monyi, Kirenge, Oruchum, Asike, Mieno, Ouma, Luvanda, Mwinyi, Joshua, Njuguna.
Players to Watch
Nicholas Kipkirui
City Stars’ star man Nicholas Kipkirui is important to the way they play. His hold-up play, pace, penetrative and offensive play are weapons that City Stars use to hurt opponents.
His goals and creativity upfront offer City Stars the offensive thrust they need to get bodies into dangerous areas and cause dangerous situations from which they can score goals.
In the clash with Tusker, Kipkirui will be central to City Stars’ hopes of keeping their title hopes alive by defeating the reigning champions.
Joshua Ibrahim
The Tusker striker has been central to everything good that the reigning champions have had this season.
As Tusker seek to dig themselves out of a hole this season, and make the best with what is remaining of their season, Joshua will be a central figure in driving them forward.
His goals and partnership with John Njuguna are robust weapons that Tusker will deploy against City Stars on Sunday.
Prediction
City Stars are fighting to remain in the title race. Keeping the gap to the league leaders at five points will give them a chance. But if the gap extends to eight pints, then they have too much to do. Expect them to be proactive and take the game to Tusker.
Tusker are mired in a mid-table slog, and they are seeking to escape it with a win against City Stars. They will adopt a pragmatic approach to the match.
A City Stars win is the favoured result for this match given the quality and momentum they have heading into this match.
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