Arsenal Vs Everton Today 3:30pm
My Prediction: The Gunners 3-1 The Toffees
The Asia Cup Final is on and surprise surprise; it’s two Premier League clubs that are meeting each other. And I can already see how Arsenal will win it. Everton struggled to even score against Stoke City in their midweek clash while Arsenal couldn’t stop scouring. Two goals in open play from Chuba Akpom, plus two penalties taken by the 19-year old and the other by Jack Wilshere completed the onslaught. It was great to see Mathieu Debuchy back for the Gunners while the rest of the defenCe looked pretty tight. Petr Cech was also in fine form as he made his debut for the Gunners earlier in the week. Roberto Martinez’s side looked lucky to make it through to the final and if they come with that attitude in this game; the Gunners will walk all over them. Arsenal play best when there’s no pressure and there’ll be no pressure here to succeed. I just hope that pre season wins boost the confidence of the squad and they carry that form into the new season.
Sofapaka Vs Tusker Today 3pm
My Prediction: Sofapaka 1-3 Tusker
Sofapaka gave an embarrassing display against KCB last weekend losing their hold on second spot in the Kenyan Premier League standings. The fact that their coach refused to renew his contract, could be because his mind has already left the club. It sure looked like that as they slumped 2-0 last weekend. Tusker on the other hand scored goal after goal after goal to beat Chemelil Sugar 5-1. Jesse Were was in fine form last weekend, getting a hat-trick and yes he went home with the match ball. If Sofapaka turn up with their leaky defence once again then they are in serious trouble. Scoring in not one of Tusker’s problems and I see coach Francis Kimanzi stepping things up during this second half of the season. Tusker sit fifth in the standings and Kimanzi will be thinking that it’s now or never if he is to close the gap with those ahead of him.
City Stars Vs AFC Leopards Sunday 3pm
My Prediction: City Stars 1-3 Ingwe
The new Chelsea will be up against the Leopards today. Yes City Stars now have a pile of money but as fate had it last weekend, the cash didn’t help them when they lost 2-0 to Ulinzi Stars. I wonder what targets their new sponsors have given the club. Since the transfer window is closed; it will have to be targets for next season, although I’m sure a condition is that they stay in the top flight. City Stars are currently in the relegation zone and that won’t be pleasing to the sponsors. They can, at least. begin to focus on what is happening on the pitch now that their salaries and allowances are being taken care of. But this weekend they face the fierce Leopards who have started the second half of the season with a bang. Two wins out of two against KCB and Ushuru has given the players confidence that despite the problems of the first half of the season, they can still recover and do well. They are fourth so all isn’t lost. They are just two points behind Sofapaka in third so focus and hard work here can see them improve their position in the standings.
With Gor Mahia going to Cecafa for a few weeks at least, it’s a chance to psychologically close the gap at the top although Gor have put such a comfortable distance between themselves and the others.
I have confidence in the Leopards right now but I hope their fans step up and show support. They have been “missing in action” of late which isn’t encouraging at all. This game is scheduled for the Nyayo Stadium, although the official KPL site always gets the venues wrong; but if it’s still Nyayo on today, go support your team guys.