Express Vs Villa: Team News, Probable Lineups And How To Watch

December 19, 2020
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Saturday:
*Express FC Vs SC Villa Betway Muteesa II Stadium
*MYDA FC Vs Mbarara City FC – King George IV Memorial Stadium
*Kitara FC Vs Onduparaka FC – Kavumba Recreation Ground
*UPDF FC Vs Police FC Bombo Military Barracks Grounds

Team News

Express FC welcomes back captain Enock ‘Lucio’ Walusimbi from suspension following his red card against Onduparaka
Charles Musiige who missed the Mbarara trip due to a muscle injury, may be subjected to a late fitness test
Mustafa Kiragga yet to get an ITC while Mahad Yaya Kakooza (Knee) and Ibrahim Kayiwa (ankle) still sidelined
For Villa, they will be without goalkeeper Meddie Kibirige due to accumulated yellow cards
Kibirige’s absence coincides with the availability of Saidi Keni for the first time this season after receiving his license
Defender Joseph Nsubuga has recovered from illness and will be available for selection

Probable Lineups

Express FC XI – Mathias Muwanga, Denis Mubuya, Arthur Kiggundu, Murushid Juuko, Enock Walusimbi, Daniel Shabena, Godfrey Lwesibawa, Abel Eturude, Frank Kalanda, Geoffrey Ssenkaaba, Eric Kambale

SC Villa XI – Saidi Keni, Joseph Nsubuga, Derrick Ndahiro, Gavin Kizito, Asuman Alishe, Amir Kakomo, Goffin Oyriwoth, Emmanuel Wasswa, Isaac Ogwang, Ronald Ssekiganda, Nicholas Kabonge.

How To Watch – Only 200 Express FC fans will be allowed to access the Wankulukuku gates, notably, these must be seasonal ticket holders. The Express Season ticket goes for Sh250,000 (ordinary) and 500,000 (VIP).
Others, you can watch the game live on Sanyuka TV, courtesy of league sponsors StarTimes, with kickoff at 3pm.

Preview – Express Need This More

SC Villa got a sigh of relief after their hard fought win over KCCA FC in Bombo, their second league win this season, to move to seven points.

The Red Eagles on the other hand are still unbeaten from three games – a win against Bright Stars and two away draws from Mbarara and Onduparaka.

Express will feel hard done by failing to get maximum points off Mbarara and Onduparaka after going ahead in both matches but the conservatism of head coach Wasswa Bbosa will take the biggest blame.

Against Mbarara for example, after leading 1-0 at halftime, he took off his offensive players who paved way for the defenders in the second half all in the name of protecting his advantage. By sitting back, it invited Mbarara who threw everything they had into the opponent’s half until Bamba Souleymane headed in an equaliser from a well weighed corner.

“My players failed to concentrate, and they missed a lot of chances,” Bbosa said in defence.

“However, Mbarara are stubborn team. But we have now rectified our mistakes and we want to get three points off Villa

“I have been a coach at Villa before, and when I moved to Tororo, I managed to beat them home and away. We have our captain back which is a also a big boost.”

The Red Eagles before Mbarara kickoff. Express FC media photo

Captain Walusimbi will partner experienced Murushid Juuko in the heart of defence, in what is by far the biggest derby in the land.

“This is surely my first derby am going to play in, but all games are almost the same it just depends on how you prepare,” returning Walusimbi said. “I am very thankful that I have served my ban and am ready to help my team get the three points.”

Bbosa has not as expected used Frank Ssenyondo who you will think that has what it takes to break down the solid Villa defence.

The Express midfield is not that creative and the team will bank on set-pieces to hurt Villa.

The visitors on the other hand, are expected to approach the game cautiously as it was against KCCA, which later paid off.

SC Villa beat Express at Wankulukuku last season. Courtesy

Edward Kaziba and his assistant Ibrahim Kirya will know that a point is not a bad result away to Express but will fancy their chances against a team that creates less.

However, they will need their players to be at their best, including Derrick Ndahiro who has played this campaign limping, if their are to have a last laugh at Wankulukuku.

The Stats

League Meetings

Last season, Express lost to SC Villa 1-0 in both encounters home and away – Ambrose Kirya scored at Wankulukuku while Emmanuel Wasswa was on target in Bombo.

Express FC has won only once in 12 previous league meetings against SC Villa.

Allan Kyambadde scored the only goal as Matia Lule’s side ran away 1-0 winners at Wankulukuku back on April 7, 2017.