FKFPL: Leopards face The Lion as they seek to pile pressure on leaders Gor Mahia

The FKF Premier League round 22 enters its climax with five enticing matches lined up for today, Thursday 26 February across different venues.

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Kenyan giants AFC Leopards will face KCB FC, defending champions Police FC take on Sofapaka, as Ulinzi Stars tussle Kakamega Homeboyz.

Bidco United, on the other hand, will clash with Mara Sugar, while APS Bomet face Kariobangi Sharks.

Ahead of the matches, Gor Mahia who will remain inactive in these midweek fixtures are at the summit of the league table with 46 points.

Shabana’s 1-0 win over Mathare United moved them level on 40 points with AFC Leopards, but the latter remained second due to a superior goal difference.

At the other end of the table, Sofapaka are bottom with 14 points, and are joined in the relegation zone by Bidco United and Ulinzi Stars with 16 and 18 points respectively.

With all the bottom five teams in the league in action today, the relegation matrix is expected to have changed after the last match.

Shabana strike late to beat Mathare, go level on points with AFC Leopards

KCB FC vs AFC Leopards

KCB FC will take on Kenyan giants AFC Leopards at the Nyayo National Stadium from 1615 hrs in what is today's biggest highlight.

Ingwe head into the match in great form, having tasted defeat only once in their last 10 matches, including five wins in their past six matches, the latest being a 2-1 victory over Posta Rangers.

With Gor Mahia inactive, the 1998 league champions will be eyeing a win that will narrow the gap between them and the league leaders to three points as the title race intensifies.

The Fred Ambani-coached side will also be cognizant of Shabana who are piling pressure on them and currently tied on points.

KCB, on the other side, have had a relatively bad season, including two losses in their last five matches, and are currently 10th on the log with 29 points.

Leading KCB is former AFC Leopards head coach Robert Matano, who is keen to lead the club back to winning ways, especially after the 3-0 loss to Gor Mahia in their last match.

Assistant coach Paul Ogai identified key areas that need attention against AFC if The Bankers are to secure a win.

“We need to restrategize because Leopards are a strong side. More specifically, we must work on our attacking third and strengthen our defense. We will need to be more sharp in our attack and transition,” said Ogai.

Sofapaka vs Police

Defending champions Police FC will be away to Sofapaka at the Vapor Grounds, Ngong in the first match of the day, kicking off at 1300 hrs.

Police are on a bad run of form and have won just one of their last 11 league matches, leaving them seventh on the table with 31 points, 15 shy of K’Ogalo.

The law enforcers will be up against an equally struggling Sofapaka side that is currently on a 13-match winless run, 10 of them being losses including losses in all their last five matches, leaving them bottom of the table.

TEAM ANALYSIS: Breakdown of Gor Mahia's blueprint and emphatic scorelines

Ulinzi Stars vs Kakamega Homeboyz

Military side Ulinzi Stars will play host to Mozzart Bet-sponsored Kakamega Homeboyz at the Ulinzi Sports Complex from 1400 hrs.

The 2010 champions have been struggling this season, and have won just four of the 20 matches they have played, and are currently on a six-match winless run that includes four defeats.

As a result, Ulinzi are 16th on the log with the wide jaws of relegation ready to swallow them.

They face a Homeboyz side that has won three of their last four matches, and are fourth on the log with 34 points.

©Gad Isaac

APS Bomet vs Kariobangi Sharks

APS Bomet, backed by Mozzart Bet Kenya, will welcome 2018 Mozzart Bet Cup champions Kariobangi Sharks at the Awendo Green Stadium from 1400 hrs.

The match is expected to produce fireworks as both teams are in the relegation matrix; APS at 14th, a place above Sharks, with both tied on 19 points and deep in the relegation matrix.

©Gad Isaac

APS head coach Sammy Pamzo Omollo termed the match as a must win and crucial in their survival journey.

“We have no option but to win the match. We have performed relatively well against top teams and so we must get maximum points against teams around and below us if we are to avoid relegation,” said Pamzo.

BETTING GUIDE: Bidco United vs Mara Sugar, Match Preview, Team News and Prediction

Bidco vs Mara Sugar

In the other match of the day, Bidco United will lock horns with Mara Sugar at the Wang’uru Stadium from 1500 hrs.

Bidco will be angling for a win that will end their 16-match winless run and boost their survival chances while 12th placed Mara Sugar would want to increase the gap between them and the lower pack.