Mathare look to maintain top spot

Mathare United will look to defend their place at the top of the Kenyan Premier League when they host Kakamega Homeboyz at the Moi International Sports Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday, 19 January 2019, kick-off at 14h00 CAT.

Mathare have enjoyed a strong start to the 2018/19 KPL season thus far, racking up 17 points from a possible 21 in their opening seven matches. United claimed an impressive 2-1 away win over Tusker last Saturday in their most recent outing.

Mathare coach Francis Kimanzi was unhappy with the state of the pitch at the Ruaraka Stadium for the victory over Tuskers, labelling it unfit for top-flight football, though the performance of youngster James Kinyanjui was a very pleasing aspect for the league leaders.

Kimanzi will hope to see his team maintain their high standards for this weekend’s clash, and he can be confident that the playing surface at Moi International Sports Stadium will be more suited to his team’s expansive style of play.

Homeboyz, by contrast, have struggled for form of late, going five matches without a win in the KPL. Last weekend they drew 1-1 at home to Zoo Kericho to at least avoid a hat-trick of defeats, having fallen to SoNy Sugar and Posta Rangers in their two previous games.

Coach Paul Nkata has urged his team to lift their level of performance for what promises to be a tough clash in Nairobi, though the chance to sit deep and try to hit the league leaders on the counter will likely suit the team currently placed 10th on the table.

In head-to-head stats, Mathare and Homeboyz have met in eight matches across all competitions since 2013. Each side has claimed two wins, while four games have ended in draws.

The teams’ most recent clash was a Kenya Premier League game in September 2018 which United won 2-0 at home. The Mathare side is unbeaten in their last four matches against the Kakamega club.

Mathare v Homeboyz – Head-to-head, all competitions since 2013

Matches played 8

Mathare wins 2

Homeboyz wins 2

Draws 4

Last five results (League only, most recent first)

Mathare | W | D | W | W | D
Homeboyz | D | L | L | D | L