MATCH PREVIEW: BUL FC VS ONDUPARAKA
Saturday April 30, 2022
Uganda premier league
Kick Off: 4PM
Two of the Uganda premier league’s in-form sides lock horns this Saturday as BUL FC play host to Onduparaka at Kyabazinga stadium.
The Eastern Giants defeated SC Villa 2-1 after extra time to earn a semi final spot in Uganda Cup, while George Lutalo’s side put two unanswered goals past Express last time out.
The reverse fixture in Arua saw BUL top their visitors 2-0 at Green Light stadium, thanks to Martin Aprem’s brace.
And they come into the clash in imperious form, having won five of our last eight games in all competitions.
Alex Isabirye’s side sit in fourth place with 45 points, just five behind second-placed KCCA FC with four matches remaining.
Onduparaka have won their past five league games in succession, scoring ten goals in them.
Their quintet of victories has also seen them concede just two goals in the process, although such resilience will be tested to the maximum against the Eastern Giants whose 47 goals in 26 matches as of now is the second best goal scoring record in the league.
The Caterpillars sit in eighth, level on 33 points with UPDF and five above SC Villa.
This will be the 12th meeting between the two sides.
Team News
Douglas Muganga will sit out of this clash because of a red card he received in our encounter with Gaddafi. Isabirye also confirmed Saidi Keni has not yet recovered from a knee injury, while the game has come too soon for Aggrey Madoi as well.
What they said:
Team manager – Alex Isabirye:
This is going to be a tough but exciting match and I expect fans to enjoy it given the fact that Onduparaka have won their games of recent and we are also improving game by game.
I have been telling you we are trying to learn how to win games and that has not changed yet, but this game maybe abit hard because Onduparaka may put up a strong fight but nevertheless, we expect to win it.
Jerome Kirya said, “the morale in the camp is high and we are ready to work for the three points.”
Last time out
Monday April 25
SC Villa 1-2 BUL FC (AET)
The last outing for BUL FC saw them storm the semi finals of the Stanbic Uganda cup after beating SC Villa 2-1 in the quarter finals.
Saddam Masereka dragged SC Villa infront but Karim Ndugwa levelled the game for the Eastern Giants before a late goal from Ibrahim Nsimbe in extra time settled the battle.
BUL were reduced to ten men in the second half when George Kasonko was sent off for a second bookable offence on Masereka but despite having numerical disadvantage, BUL forced the game to extra time and eventually got the winning goal with five minutes to the end of extra time.
Head to head
BUL and Onduparaka have met on eleven occasions in the past. BUL have won five encounters with the Caterpillars winning two and the sides drawing four times.
Previous meeting
Saturday October 30,2021
Onduparaka 0-2 BUL FC
BUL FC beat Onduparaka FC 2-0 at Greenlight stadium in Arua.
Martin Aprem scored a brace as the Eastern Giants bundled the Caterpillars to their first loss of the season. The forward opened the scores eight minutes to the break before he completed his brace at the hour mark to seal the win for BUL FC.
Last four meetings
October 30, 2021
Onduparaka FC 0-2 BUL FC
May 22, 2021
BUL FC 3-1 Onduparaka FC
March 02, 2021
Onduparaka FC 0-1 BUL FC
March 04, 2021
BUL FC 4-0 Onduparaka FC
Match Facts
BUL FC have won eight games, drawn three and lost two in 13 home matches.
The Eastern Giants have the third best home record this campaign, only behind league leaders – Vipers SC and Arua Hill after accumulating 27 points, and scoring 26 goals and conceding just 8 at Kyabazinga stadium.
Isabirye’s side are unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions as they have won four and drawn three.
They have also won their past four meetings with the Caterpillars, put forward ten goals and conceded one only across that run.
BUL are unbeaten in five matches as hosts to Onduparaka since 2016 with a record of three victories and two stalemates.
Only two teams have run away with maximum points from Kyabazinga stadium – Express (1-0) in October and Vipers SC (3-1) in early February but BUL have won four matches and drawn one since that loss to the Venoms
This fixture has produced 18 goals but BUL have a Lion share of 13 to their name.
Onduparaka’s two victories over the Eastern Giants came in 2018 (1-0) and 2019 (1-0) but all were at Green Light stadium.
The Caterpillars have won their past five matches, scored ten goals in them and kept three clean sheets.
Overall, the visitors have not been good travellers this campaign after winning just four matches, drawing two and losing seven of their 13 trips in the league, but, they are unbeaten in their last three away games with the previous defeat on the road being a 2-1 loss to URA in early March.
Match officials
The match will be handled by Komakech Charles as the center referee. He will be assisted by Kakembo Ahmed (first assistant referee) and Ichilla Samuel (second assistant referee). Sajjabi Geoffrey will be the fourth official while the match assessor will be Kityo Asuman.
How to follow the game
The match will not be anywhere on television. BUL FC fans can follow all the action on our:
Facebook page – BUL Football Club-Jinja
Twitter – @bulfc1
Instagram – bulfc1