By 
Vipers SC welcome Express FC in a mouth watering clash of match day 27 in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League on Friday at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
Wins over KCCA FC and Gaddafi FC have put Roberto Oliveira’s Vipers in perfect shape to seal this year’s title earlier than expected.
They have lived as advertised so far thanks to the manner in which they have torn down different opponents in the League .
However in Express FC, they face a tough test because of what James Odoch’s men have started exhibiting in their last games however much some results haven’t been going their way.
Vipers bosses with the most intimidating attacking armoury of Yunus Sentamu and Caesar Manzoki. Yunus Ssentamu has scored 11 goals in this campaign.
Manzoki has scored sixteen goals so far in this campaign and three in his last two against (KCCA and Gaddafi ) and has proved to be the hottest cake in the league thanks to his lanky size and mobility which has been a menace to defenders.
Paul Mucureezi spoke ahead of game against Express FC and said,
We are definitely ready to win but we don’t need to come with excitement that we have already won the trophy yet we haven’t.
Express on the other side shipped in 13 goals last season, the lowest in the 2020/22 campaign but have shipped in seven more this campaign.
Up front, with the return of Kambale, the Red Eagles have their most intelligent player in the league but he hasn’t produced the goods in this second round of the season after his comeback.
In the Pre-match interview, Express Interim Coach James Odoch emphasized that his team needs to keep the ball in order to frustrate the Venoms.
Vipers is a strong and organized team, basically we’ve been working on our defence, Vipers are good at scoring through crosses like was the case in our last two meetings where they scored through the wings so all we have to do is cut off the wing supply but also we need to keep the ball more so that we frustrate them, I am certain if we do that well, we shall definitely earn maximum points.
In their reverse fixture, Express drew with Vipers at Wankulukuku, a game that ended 2-2. The Red Eagles’ goals were scored by Murushid Juuko and Erick Kambale while the Venoms’ goals were scored by League top scorer Cesar Manzoki and Livingston Mulondo.
Vipers SC are top of the Log with 67 points in 25 games of the season while Express lie 6th on the Log with 42 points in 26 games.
Last results.
Express lost their last game in the League at home to Onduparaka courtesy of two Muhammad Shaban goals while Vipers won their last game at home against Gaddafi FC 2-0.
What would a win mean?
A win for Vipers SC would see them extend their lead at the top to 17 points in order to seal the League with a couple of games to go while a win for Express would see them move to 5th place in place of Arua Hill SC and level on points with fourth place BUL.
Match Stats.
The teams have met 24 times with The Red Eagles have managing four wins, Vipers 10 wins with the rest being draws.
Express FC are unbeaten against Vipers SC in the last three league outings.
The Red Eagles won the last encounter at Kitende but both teams shared the spoils in the last league meeting at Wankulukuku.
Team news.
Express FC will be without Captain Enock Walusimbi and midfielder Daniel Shabene who are both suspended. Murushid Juuko, Sadiq Ssekyembe and Charles Musiige will have to pass a late fitness test.
For Mahad Yaya Kakooza and Godfrey Lwesibawa, they are unavailable .
For Vipers SC, they will be without Najib Yiga who is away on school football commitments.
Fabien Mutombora and Paul Willa will also not feature with their season termed as over after getting injuries.
Probable Lineups
Express FC : Joel Mutakubwa, Arthur Kiggundu, Isa Lumu, Murushid Juuko, Daniel Shabene, John Byamukama, Enock Ssebaggala, Ivan Mayanja, Martin Kizza, George Senkaaba, Eric Kambale
Vipers SC : Dennis Kiggundu , Hillary Mukundane, Disan Galiwango, Livingstone Mulondo, Dennis Ssali, Allan Kayiwa, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Yunus Ssentamu, Milton Karisa, Cesar Manzoki, Bright Anukani
Head To Head
2021/2022
Express 2-2 Vipers
2020/2021
Vipers 0-1 Express
Express 1-1 Vipers
2019/2020
Vipers 3-0 Express
2018/2019
Vipers 2-0 Express
Express 1-1 Vipers
2017/2018
Vipers 5-0 Express
Express 1-2 Vipers
2016/2017
Express 0-0 Vipers
Vipers 0-1 Express
2015/2016
Vipers 1-0 Express
Express 2-0 Vipers
2014/2015
Vipers 1-0 Express
Express 0-0 Vipers
2013/2014
Express 0-1 Vipers
Express 0-0 Vipers
2012/2013
Express 0-0 Vipers
Vipers 2-0 Express
2011/2012
Express 1-1 Vipers
Vipers 1-1 Express
2010/2011
Express 0-1 Vipers
Vipers 2-1 Express
In the other games, bottom side Tooro United will host second placed KCCA FC at Buhinga Stadium in Fort Portal while The Army men of UPDF will host The tax collectors in Bombo.
