SC Villa vs Vipers – Preview, Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats

By: Geoffrey Mugabi

Wednesday Fixtures
Calvary vs Lugazi – Yumbe, 4:00 PM
UPDF vs Express – Bombo, 4:00 PM
SC Villa vs Vipers – Kadiba, 4:00 PM

Probable Lineups

Vipers: Denis Kiggundu (GK), Hillary Mukundane, Kevin Dasylva, Ashraf Mandela, Enock Luyima, Enock Ssebagala, Taddeo Lwanga, Karim Watambala, Odili Chukwuma, Usama Arafat, Milton Karisa

SC Villa: David Lukwago (GK), Raymond Barasa, Geoffrey Lubangakene, David Owori, Kato Ssemayange, Diego Ssemugera, Najib Yiga, Aslam Ssemakula, Hassan Mubiru, Patrick Kakande, Frank Ssebufu

Team News

Vipers: Goalkeeper Alfred Mudekereza is a major doubt for this encounter, while the rest of the squad is available for selection.

SC Villa: Raymond Barasa, who was substituted in the previous match, is doubtful. The rest of the squad is available for selection.

Head coach Zeljko Kovacevic emphasized the importance of the fixture:

“We need to win in order to get closer to the top position, so it’s going to be a difficult game. The boys are ready, and playing on our home ground, we hope for a better result.”

Preview: Villa Eye Big Win to Close Gap in Title Race

SC Villa will be aiming to close in on the title race when they host table leaders Vipers SC this evening under the floodlights at FUFA Stadium, Kadiba.

Villa come into the fixture on the back of a 1-0 victory over KCCA FC in the Kampala derby, while Vipers played out a goalless draw with Kitara FC in their previous outing.

The first leg between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw in Kitende, with Usama Arafat cancelling out Frank Ssebufu’s opener.

The last time Vipers visited SC Villa, the hosts secured a 1-0 win, with Charles Lwanga scoring after a brilliant solo effort and assist from Patrick Kakande.

Vipers have not beaten SC Villa away since 2021, when they registered a 3-1 victory, with goals from Paul Mucureezi, Yunus Sentamu, and Bobosi Byaruhanga, while goalkeeper Saidi Keni scored for Villa.

In the last five league meetings between the two sides, each team has won once, with three matches ending in draws.

A win for SC Villa would take them to 47 points, level with Kitara FC, but ahead on head-to-head and goal difference, temporarily moving them into second place.

It would also reduce the gap to leaders Vipers to four points, firmly bringing Villa into the title race.

However, results elsewhere, particularly the clash between KCCA FC and Kitara, could influence their position on the table.

For Vipers, victory would take them to 54 points, extending their lead at the top and strengthening their grip on the title race.

The Venoms will also hope for a draw between KCCA and Kitara to widen the gap further.

Stats

Head-to-head (league meetings):
Vipers – 8 wins
SC Villa – 4 wins
Draws – 5