Mighty table-top battle expected as Mathare and Ulinzi go head-to-head in SPL

The match of round sixteen of Sportspesa Premier League is surely Mathare United vs Ulinzi Stars. The two occupy positions three and two respectively. They are currently tied on every thing save for goals conceded, with Mathare United having conceded 12 and Ulinzi 10. This situation will likely change when the two come head-to-head on Saturday, July 2nd, 2016.

Mathare United have struggled in recent seasons, even flirting with relegation once or twice. They finished in 9th position last season, having drawn half of their matches and after winning only eight out of 30. However, after bringing back prodigal sons Francis Kimanzi and Salim Ali as head coach and assistant coach respectively, the team seems to have rediscovered its groove and they are genuine title contenders once again, seeking to win their second premier league title. The last and only one was won in 2008 when coach Kimanzi was at the helm for his first stint.

The team did not end the first round strongly though, with four draws, a loss and only one win probably bringing back memories of last season's under-achievement. However, the fact that the Slum Boys secured seven victories out of 15 played in the first round - as many as they could manage the entire season in 2015 - is clear evidence that, barring a calamity, this will be a bright harvest season for Mathare.

On their part, Ulinzi might have a feeling of hard luck as the premier league resumes, having to travel for the first match of round two to Nairobi to face the team that gave them a 2-0 beating in their own backyard of Nakuru.

Ulinzi Stars ended their first round of the 2016 season the same way they started it, with a draw. However, it was only one of the two draws registered by the club in a productive period that brought in five wins and only one loss in the club's final eight matches. The loss is one of their only two suffered in round one and was inflicted by Mathare United (the other lose coming a week earlier away to Posta Rangers. They will have to be on total guard to prevent Mathare from doing a double on them.

In the last nine matches between the teams, each has won three times and shared the spoils in the three others. Interestingly these teams seem to enjoy playing away to each other. Three of Mathare's victories and Ulinzi's two have come when they were playing each other away. Saturday's encounter might produce similar results, if not a draw.