Sofapaka in search of a halt to rotten form against Western Stima

Sofapaka have found themselves in unfamiliar territory in the Sportpesa Premier League this season, returning to action in the second round of the league in last position with a measly seven points. Three of the seven were won at home on day one against Ushuru. Another win followed ages later away to fellow strugglers Nairobi City Stars and for the only time this season they followed that with a draw against another struggling team - Thika United.

With 12 losses out of fifteen, one wonders whether Batoto Ba Mungu's tenure in the top flight will come to an end this year after excellent performances that started with a premier league championship in their promotion season. Whatever the case, Western Stima will not walk onto the field against them with too many worries.

Having said that, Western Stima's season is not much better considering their standing in Kenya's premier league football. The club from Western Kenya won only four matches out of the 15 played in the first round of the SPL. Maybe as an encouragement to Sofapaka, all these wins came at Western Stima's homegound of Bukhungu Stadium. Drawing matches could be considered another of Western Stima's defining features in the first round of the league. The club drew seven matches out of 15, a record only shared by Poster Rangers.

The two clubs have faced each other nine times, sharing the spoils on all fronts. They have each beaten the other three times and drew on the other three occasions. In this latest installment of encounters, the clubs are likely to play out another stalemate.

Homeboyz face Bandari seeking to entrench top ten credentials

In the last eight matches played before the Sportpesa Premier League took a break, Kakamega Homeboyz recorded four wins, one draw, and three losses.  Three of the club's wins came at home and three of the victories were against releation candidates Thika United, Nairobi City Stars, and Sofapaka.

On Saturday, July 2, 2016, the club from Western Kenya will come up against Bandari, this coming off the back drop of a draw against Ulinzi FC in their final match before the league break. Considering that it is a promoted team, Homeboyz should be commended for finding themselves a place amongst the league's top ten teams and on the basis of their performances so far, they have what it takes to remain there when the final whistle of the season is blown.

Bandari FC returned to the top flight with a storm, winning three and drawing three of their first seven matches of the season to find themselves amongst the early league leaders. However their performances in their final eight matches before the league took a break indicated a clear loss of form and they must have celebrated the arrival of the break. In their last eight matches, Bandari have won only one match (away to Ushuru). they have lost four (three at home) and drew three (two at home). They are clearly a team who found the tough going in their own coastal backyard.

Bandari's consolation is that their next opponents have one of the worst defence records in the league but he flip side is that Home boys have performed fairly well at home, winning three and losing only one of their last four home matches.

The teams have met three times previously, with Bandari boasting a 3-0 head-to-head record. This match has potential of ending in a draw but Bandari might just nick a win here and maintain their unbeaten record against Kakamega Homeboyz.

Sony Sugar look set to continue strong recovery away to Ushuru

Ushuru and Sony Sugar will both be looking for a win to lift them up the Sportpesa League Table when Kenya's premier league football action resumes on Saturday, July 2, 2016.

After a slow start to the season, Sony Sugar entered a strong period that saw the club recording an impressive five wins, one draw and two losses in the final eight matches before the Sportpesa Premier League took a break. The two losses were registered away to table toppers Gor Mahia FC and Mathare United, with the draw coming away to league leaders Tusker FC.

Clearly, they are a club that have regained their form and their climbing to ninth position is testimony of this fact. Their opponents for the sixteenth round of SPL matches, Ushuru, are only two points behind on 17 but currently in danger of slipping into the relegation zone. In their last eight matches, Ushuru have won two (away to Western Stima and at home to Homeboyz), drawn three and lost three, with two of the draws coming against powerhouses Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards.

Sony Sugar's away form has been poor, losing three, drawing three, and winning only one of their last seven away premier league matches. Ushuru, on their part have been stronger away from home. Only one of their four wins came at home, and four of their six losses were registered at home. Two of their seven home matches so far have ended in a stalemate.

The two clubs have met five times, with Sony Sugar winning three times and Ushuru winning the other two match ups. There have been no draws so far between the clubs. As things stand now, Sony Sugar will most likely win this tie.