Wednesday 19th April
URA vs KCCA 2PM, Mehta stadium
UPDF vs Vipers 4PM, Bombo Barracks Ground
SC Villa vs Arua Hill 4PM, Mutesa II Stadium Wankulukuku.
Onduparaka vs Bright Stars, Ababet Greenlight
Team News
UPDF will be without Kiggundu Moses due to injury as well as Goalkeeper Simon Mabuya.
However, Nsimbe Badru Jibril and Kimuli Gerald returns after missing the previous game against KCCA.
For Vipers, Goalkeeper Alfred Mudekereza and Murushid Juuko are still sidelined with injuries.
Marvin Youngman is also ruled out with an Ankle problem.
Siraj Ssentamu, Bright Anukani and Karim Watambala returned to full training but this game comes too early for them.
Angolan Midfielder Miguel Nzau is back after recovering from a knock to his knee he sustained against Blacks Power.
Probable Lineups
UPDF: Were Derrick (GK), Kawagu Christopher, Oyirwoth Daglas, Samson Kasozi, Bernard Muwanga, Okello Donato, Ibrahim Wammanah, Yiga Frank, Ivan Ahimbisibwe, Mugisha Rogers.
Vipers: Fabian Mutombora (GK), Ashraf Mandela, Isa Mubiru, Hillary Mukundane, Torach Rogers, Miguel Nzau, Yunus Sentamu, Abubaker Lawal, Karim Ndugwa, Milton Karisa, Martin Kizza.
Preview: Must win game for Vipers
Vipers will go all out at UPDF FC at Bombo with only a win in their mind in order to keep their title hopes alive.
Vipers who are third on log with 32 points, are eleven points off leaders Villa but the Venoms have played four games less than the Jogoos.
Alex Isabirye’s side will not afford to slip as it will dent their chances of defending the title.
This Year, the venoms have played only three league games due to continental commitments, they have won one and drawn the other two.
They go to the ground where they have managed just one win in five outings.
The defending champions will seek to complete a double over UPDF after a 4-0 victory in the reverse fixture at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende.
A hat-trick from Yunus Sentamu and an own goal from Adriko Rogers gave the Venoms all maximum points last year.
First half goals from Karim Ndugwa and Yunus Sentamu inspired Vipers to a 2-0 victory over Blacks Power in their previous game.
“We’ve got another opportunity to go away and try and build on our recent performances and try to get an away win,” said head coach Alex Isabirye.
“If we do, we’ll creep closer to where we want to be.
“It’s going to be a tough game, but we’re in a good place, we want to go there and be really tough to beat.
“We’ve still got teams above us that we want to overtake. We’ve got some big games coming up, so we’re looking forward to every game and will automatically proceed with caution.”
However, they face a UPDF side that has rejuvenated in the second round.
The Army side has lost just one game this year with three wins and three draws.
They are buoyed after a one all draw with title challengers KCCA at Lugogo.
Oyirwoth Daglas last minute stunner cancelled out Tshisungu Kankonde opener.
The Bombo based side will hope to revenge their 4-0 defeat at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende.
If they do, it will be their first ever victory over Vipers in recent memory
UPDF have faced Vipers eleven times and lost seven with just four draws.
At Bombo Barracks Ground, they have only lost once to the Venoms.
Stats
UPDF
The Army side are 12th on the log with 22 points in 21 matches. 5W, 7D, 9L
They have scored 19 goals and conceeded 31 times.
UPDF have won three of their last five matches with one draw and defeat apiece.
Vipers
The Venoms are in the third position with 32 points after 17 matches. 9W, 5D, 3L.
They have managed 23 goals and allowed a league low seven goals against them.
In their last five matches, Vipers have registered two wins and draws each, with one defeat.
Head to Head
2022/2023
UPDF ?-? Vipers
Vipers 4-0 UPDF
2021/2022
UPDF 1-1 Vipers
Vipers 7-2 UPDF
2020/2021
UPDF 0-3 Vipers
Vipers 1-0 UPDF
2017/2018
Vipers 4-1 UPDF
UPDF 1-1 Vipers
2016/2017
Vipers 2-0 UPDF
UPDF 1-1 Vipers
2015/2016
UPDF 1-1 Vipers
Vipers 3-0 UPDF
