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Leaders Vipers have a chance to open a four-point gap at the top if they beat Soltilo Bright Stars at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
They come into this game with just a point lead over rival KCCA who will be in action on Thursday when they visit Express at the Beltway Muteesa II Stadium, Wakulukuku.
The Venoms who have been firing on all cylinders must however be worry of Bright Stars and former head coach Paul Kiwanuka.
Kiwanuka was the Venoms interim head coach last season after the departure of Fred Kajoba.
Bright Stars are full of confidence currently, having eliminated KCCA from the Uganda Cup last week courtesy of Joseph Marvin Youngman’s goal.
Vipers took travelled to Agago district to eliminate Kalango FC after a 3-1 scoreline.
Back to the Uganda Premier League, Vipers looked so wasteful against UPDF FC in their last game, missing chance after chance for the game to end 1-all in Bombo after Paul Mucureezi’s late strike.
Bright stars laboured to a 1-1 draw with Police FC in their last league game. They are unbeaten in their last three games as they continue to fight for survival as they sit second bottom with 16 points in 18 games, two points below the survival line.
The first round meeting between Vipers and Bright Stars at Kavumba Recreation Grounds ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for the Venoms as Yunus Sentamu needed the winner early on in the game.
If Bright Star are able to defeat Vipers on Wednesday, they will temporarily move out of the drop zone and pressure will be on Mbarara City FC, Busoga United FC and SC Villa to win their games throughout the week.
Speaking ahead of the game on Wednesday evening, Vipers head coach Roberto Oliviera predicted a tough game but said his team is prepared well to take maximum points.
“We have prepared well for tomorrow’s match. And l know the opponent having played him twice but we are going out to fight for three points.”
Team News
For the hosts, Cesar Manzoki is expected to be back in the squad after sitting out the 3-1 win over Kalongo United FC in the Stanbic Uganda Cup with minor knock while the fixture comes too early for midfielders Bright Anukani and Frank ‘Zaga’ Tumwesigye who just recovered from hamstring injuries respectively.
For Bright Stars, captain Nelson Senkatuka is still out ever since getting a knock against SC Villa while Jungu Methodious is expected to start the game.
Key Statistics
The Venoms have collected 13 points out of a possible 15 in their last five league games at Kitende.
Bright Star’s beat Villa 2-1 in their last away game in their league, collecting their first victory on the road this season
Paul Kiwanuka’s men have never beaten Vipers in the league so the Venoms will be seeking for their third double over Bright Stars having achieved this in the 2015/2016 and 2020/2021 seasons.
Probable Lineups
Vipers SC: Fabien Mutombora GK, Paul Willa, Halid Lwaliwa, Livingstone Mulondo, Disan Galiwango, Siraje Sentamu, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Paul Mucureezi, Milton Karisa, Yunus Sentamu, Ceaser Manzoki
Bright Stars: Derrick Were GK, Andrew Kaggwa,. Simon Ssemayange, Warren Buule, Derrick Ngobi, Fiat Cleophus, Ibrahim Kasinde, Marvin Youngman, Emmanuel Loki, Jungu Methodious, Joseph Janjali
Head To Head
2021/2022
- Bright Stars 0-1 Vipers SC
2020/21
- Bright Stars Fc 0-1 Vipers SC
- Vipers SC 2-0 Bright Stars
2019/2020
- Bright Stars 1-3 Vipers SC
2018/2019
- Vipers SC 3-0 Bright Stars
- Bright Stars 0-0 Vipers SC
2017/2018
- Vipers SC 3-2 Bright Stars
- Bright Stars Fc 0-0 Vipers SC
2016/2017
- Bright Stars 0-0 Vipers SC
- Vipers SC 1-1 Bright Stars
2015/2016
- Bright Stars 0-1 Vipers SC
- Vipers SC 1-0 Bright Stars
2014/2015
- Bright Stars 0-0 Vipers SC
- Vipers SC 0-0 Bright Stars FC
2013/2014
- Vipers SC 0-0 Bright Stars
- Bright Stars 0-1 Vipers SC
