MATCH PREVIEW: UPDF Vs BUL FC

Tuesday February 21, 2023
Uganda premier league
Bombo military grounds
Kick off: 4pm

BUL FC hit the road to face UPDF on Tuesday at Bombo military grounds in the Uganda premier league.

The Eastern Giants are looking to put things right away from home where we have picked just two wins.

In seven league trips, the 5-0 win over Blacks Power in October and the 1-0 triumph against Arua Hill in December last year remain the only victories to date for Alex Isabirye’s side on the road.

But our good home run has seen us count 28 points from eight wins and four draws to sit second on the log.

Contrastingly, the hosts have not been exciting altogether. Eleven (11) points, as a result of their two wins and five draws, is all they can present from fifteen rounds this campaign.

This has left them in 13th place and praying for good fortunes going forward as they are just two points from the danger zone.

Their Uganda cup journey was also thrown to the ruins by Bunyaruguru United after a 2-1 defeat last Thursday in Rubirizi.

BUL however put in a battling display at home to SC Villa in the cup to record a 1-0 win to progress to the round of 16 and will look to build on that against UPDF.

They will also be encouraged by the good recent record at UPDF, with the Eastern Giants unbeaten in their latest four meetings with the army side.

This clash comes at a moment when the competition between the second and fifth is tight, therefore, winning this match is high on the agenda for BUL to remain in firm control of the second place regardless of the results from the battle between Vipers and Wakiso Giants at St. Mary’s stadium and SC Villa and Onduparaka who play a day later.

Alex Isabirye’s men recorded a 3-1 win at FUFA technical center the last time the side met. Two second half quick fire goals from Karim Ndugwa and Richard Wandyaka set us on the move before Frank Kalanda sealed the win late on while Ibrahim Magandazi scored the consolation for them.

Team News

Douglas Muganga will serve his suspension after accumulating yellow cards.

Three players – George Kasonko, Reagan Kalyowa and Pascal Ngobi sustained injuries in our 1-0 win over SC Villa and manager Alex Isabirye confirmed they join goalkeeper Emmanuel Kalyowa in the treatment room.

Isabirye spoke to club media after the last training and said;

“They are third from the bottom of the table, they need the points and I know they are going to put up a very big fight but we are also looking forward to getting those three points.“

“It will not be easy but we are ready for them and I think we shall win.“

Goalkeeper Saidi Keni said;

“As players, we are prepared for the game against UPDF.”

“They are strong team but basing on our performance in the previous games, we are good to go and every player is ready to give 100%.“

Head to Head

P11 W6 D1 L4

Eleven matches have been played between these teams, producing six wins for BUL, four for UPDF and one draw since 2015.

Previous four encounters

April 20, 2021

BUL FC 4-3 UPDF FC

December 23, 2021

UPDF FC 1-1 BUL FC

March 01, 2022

BUL 5-1 UPDF FC

October 8, 2023

BUL FC 3-1 UPDF FC

Match Facts

BUL have won only two of their past seven away matches this campaign, scoring nine goals in return and conceding seven with eight points gathered.

But they are unbeaten in their last four meetings with UPDF, winning three and drawing one, with 13 goals scored and only six conceded in the process.

This fixture has produced a winner in ten of their past eleven (11) meetings, and 36 goals have been scored across those games, with BUL FC having a lion’s share of 22.

UPDF have won three times in five home league games against BUL since 2015.

However, they have won one, drawn four and lost seven in their previous 12 league matches in the current season.

Match Coverage:

Our social media channels will relay minute to minute text commentary for the fans who will not be able to travel to Bombo. A match report and highlights will follow shortly.

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