GPL week 11: A week of derbies as AshantiGold and Kotoko, Hearts and Olympics clash
Following an uneventful match week 10, the Ghana Premier League could provide fans with some intriguing moments with three regional derbies lined up for week 11.
Both AshantiGold and Kumasi Asante Kotoko failed to close the gap on Karela FC after the leaders were held to a goalless draw by Great Olympics.
The Miners were, surprisingly, thrashed 5-2 by a struggling Legon Cities side who secured just their second win of the season. Kumasi Asante Kotoko, on the other hand were defeated 1-0 by Aduana Stars.
Both teams, on the back of defeats therefore, will seek to take points off each other in one of three regional derbies lined up for the weekend.
The other regional derbies, in week 11, will see Accra Hearts of Oak hosting Accra Great Olympics at the Accra Sports Stadium while two clubs with Nzema connection, Karela and Medeama will go head to head in week 11 of the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League season.
In anticipation of the derbies, we take a look at the head to head and form guide of both teams involved in the Ashanti and Greater Accra regional derbies.
Week 11: AshantiGold vs Kotoko
Head to head
Games between AshantiGold and Asante Kotoko have always been tense, with both teams always trying to claim superiority.
The Ashanti regional derby has not taken place in a year due to the truncation of the 2019/2020 season. The last time both clubs were involved in a game was in February of last year when the game ended in a goalless draw.
Since 2016, both sides have met on five different occasions, excluding friendly games, with AshantiGold coming out on top with 2 wins out of the five games.
They defeated Kotoko 2-0 in the 2017/2018 season having defeated them in the 2016/17 season by 5-3, in what is the biggest scoreline between the clubs in the period under review.
Kumasi Asante Kotoko’s only win against the Miners came in a 1-0 victory in the 2016-17 season- a response to the 5-3 thrashing earlier in the same season. Two draws have also been recorded in the last five games.
Last 5 meetings
2020-02-16 Asante Kotoko 0-0 Ashanti Gold
2018-04-08 Ashanti Gold 2-0 Asante Kotoko
2017-10-05 Asante Kotoko 1-1 Ashanti Gold
2017-02-27 Ashanti Gold 0-1 Asante Kotoko
2016-09-14 Ashanti Gold 5-3 Asante Kotoko
Form guide
In terms of form guide, Ashanti Gold have had an inconsistent run in their last 6 games, recording two draws, two defeats and two wins.
Their latest thrashing and defeat at the hands of Legon Cities was the second in their past six fixtures, having suffered another at the hands of Bechem United.
They have won against Great Olympics and Berekum Chelsea while sharing points with Medeama and Eleven Wonders in the process.
Their opponents, Kotoko, possess a superior average of wins, defeats and draws in their past six games. Their only defeat in the run came last week when they were defeated on home soil by Aduana Stars.
They have secured wins against Dreams FC, Liberty Professionals as well as a 0-1 victory over Ebusua Dwarfs in Cape Coast. The 1-1 draw against WAFA remains the only draw in their past six games.
Ashanti Gold: Last 6 games
L Legon Cities 5-2 Ashanti Gold
D Ashanti Gold 0-0 Medeama
W Great Olympics 1-2 Ashanti Gold
W Ashanti Gold 2-1 Berekum Chelsea
L Bechem United 1-0 Ashanti Gold
D Eleven Wonders 1-1 Ashanti Gold
Asante Kotoko: Last 6 games
L Asante Kotoko 0-1 Aduana Stars
W Ebusua Dwarfs 0-1 Asante Kotoko
D WAFA 1-1 Asante Kotoko
W Asante Kotoko 2-0 Liberty Professionals
D Medeama 1-1 Asante Kotoko
W Dreams 0-1 Asante Kotoko
Week 11: Hearts of Oak vs Great Olympics
Head to head
Based on the statistics available, Accra Hearts of Oak are the clear favorites for the clash involving Greater Accra’s two traditional clubs.
The Phobians hold the upper hand in terms of head to head stats, having won 4 and lost none in their last five games against Saturday’s visitors.
Their four wins against Olympics include a 4-0 thrashing at the Accra Sports Stadium in last season’s truncated league.
That emphatic win was a follow up of the 2-1 victories they secured in each half of the 2016/17 season. They had also defeated Olympics 1-0 in the second round of the 2014/2015 season.
Olympics’ best result in these meetings was the 0-0 first-round draw they secured in the 2014/2015 season.
Below is a short video about the rivalry of Accra Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics.
Hearts vs Oly is always a huge spectacle.
Mantse Derby.
…and everyone knows who the landlords are. Ga Mashiɛ wɔ nɔ.#OlyDade #Dademashieee #OlyoooooOly pic.twitter.com/w6XezVzdh5
— GREAT OLYMPICS (@AccraGtOlympics) January 28, 2021
Recent meetings
2020-03-11 Hearts of Oak 4-0 Great Olympics
2017-08-27 Great Olympics 1-2 Hearts of Oak
2017-03-12 Hearts of Oak 2-1 Great Olympics
2015-06-13 Hearts of Oak 1-0 Great Olympics
2015-04-26 Great Olympics 0-0 Hearts of Oak
Form guide
In their last six fixtures in the Ghana Premier League, Great Olympics have won twice, lost twice, and drawn twice, with their latest game being the 0-0 draw against table toppers, Karela FC.
For Accra Hearts of Oak, the 0-0 draw in week 10 was the second in their past 6 games following their 1-1 draw with Elmina Sharks. They have won on three occasions including their 6-1 thrashing of Bechem United at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Hearts of Oak: Last 6 games
D Berekum Chelsea 0-0 Hearts of Oak
W Hearts of Oak 2-0 Eleven Wonders
D Elmina Sharks 1-1 Hearts of Oak
W Hearts of Oak 6-1 Bechem United
W King Faisal 1-2 Hearts of Oak
L Aduana Stars 2-0 Hearts of Oak
Great Olympics: Last 6 games
D Great Olympics 0-0 Karela
W Inter Allies 0-2 Great Olympics
L Great Olympics 1-2 Ashanti Gold
L Aduana Stars 2-1 Great Olympics
D Great Olympics 1-1 Ebusua Dwarfs
W Great Olympics 1-0 WAFA
Ghana Premier League week 11 fixtures
Below are the fixtures for match week 11 of the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League season.
[table id=22 /]
