Match Preview:- Fasil Kenema Vs St George

Ethiopian Premier League 2nd week postponed match between Fasil Kenema and St George will be played tomorrow at Gondar Fassiledes Stadium. It was postponed for CHAN African Cup preparation and matches. This match will start tomorrow at 3:00pm.

St George and Fasil Kenema's last season meeting!

In 2016/17 EPL season, these two teams had their 1st round match on Sunday, December 04, 2016.This was an EPL's 4tb week match at Gondar Fasiledes Stadium played at 3:00pm.

This match had a different meaning for Fasil Kenema whow was newly promoted to the Premier League at the time. After joining the Premier League, this match against the Horsemen was the first match they had at home ground in front of their fans. On the match preceded by a warm welcome and where there was an attractive stadium vibe, the team-Fasil Kenema won by 2-1.Though the Horsemen had the lead at the 12th min by a goal from Salhadin Seid, Fasil Kenema won by Abdulrahman's goal and Edom's toppish time penalty goal.

The 2nd round match of 2016/17 EPL season, between them was on Sunday, May 28, 2017 at Addis Ababa stadium which ended with 2-2 draw. The Horsemen could get a lead by Ramkelok's 1st min goal from a free ckick and Bruno Kone's 34th min goal from a pass by Yasir Mugerwa. But Fasil Kenema got equalisers at the 57th min and 81st min (penalty) to finish 2-2.

Current season's numbers of these two teams!

St George had 9 matches so far in this season to draw 5 and win 4. On the other hand, Fasil Kenema has 10 matches, winning 3 and drawing 7. Hence, this match will be between two who hasn't lost in this season yet. The Horsemen are 3rd on the table collecting 17 points and Fasil Kenema is 4th with 16 points.

Let's discuss Fasil Kenema first as St George is having this match away!

Fasil Kenema in this season had 3 EPL matches at home although it should have been 4. This was because their home match against Mekelle kenema was held at Addis Ababa stadium. They won one, among 3 matches they had in front of their fans and drew the other two. The match won was against Wolayta Dicha and was by 1-0.

The 2 matches they drew were against Woldia Kenema with 0-0 and Hawassa Kenema with 2-2. Fasil Kenema, in all the 3 home matches, scored 3 and conceded 2 goals in total.

Fasil Kenema had 6 away matches in this season to win 2 and draw 4. They won at Jimma against Jimma Aba Jifar by 1-0 and at Addis Ababa against Mekelakeya by 1-0.

Fasil Kenema's away draws were against Welwalo Adigrat University with 0-0, Dedebit with 0-0, Adama Kenema with 0-0 and Diredawa Kenema with 1-1. Fasil Kenema in all the away 6 matches scored 5 and conceded 3 goals in total.

St George in all the 9 matches, scored 11 and conceded 2. Fasil Kenema on the other hand, scored 8 and conceded 5 in 10 matches. On average, St George scored 1.22 goals per game and Fasil Kenema scored 0.8 goals per game. St George on average conceded 0.22 goals per game and Fasil Kenema coceded 0.8.

Fasil Kenema's Game plan!

Fasil Kenema used 4-3-3 in most of its matches on this season. Although they played in 4-2-3-1 in few games, they were applying 4-3-3 in the recent weeks. Hence, St George will play against a club with a formation as it's own 4-3-3.

Fasil Kenema's line up when they played against Mekelle Kenema in EPL's 11th week, was the following.

Goal Keeper:- Michael Samake

Defenders:- Fitsum kebede, Seid Hassen, Kedir Haredin and Amsalu Tilahun

Midfielders:- Efrem Alemu, Yasir Mugerwa and Dawit Estifanos  

Strikers:- Ramkel Lok, Philip Dowth and Ermias Hailu

Coach Mintesinot's team plays possessive football building up the ball. Especially at home ground, they focus on taking possession upper-hand. When they play at home, their game tempo will be fast and bases on short passes and rapid transitions. Particularly, the transition from defence to attack is fast.

Fasil Kenema seems to have based its attack the midfielder, Dawit Estifanos since the past few weeks. They work hard to make passes from the holding midfielder- Yasir Mugerwa between the lines, reach striking midfielders. The team's attack visibly starts when Dawit Estifanos recieves the ball between the lines. This player's passes to the center and wing strikers are major sources of Fasil Kenema's goal opportunities. Especially,  Ermias Hailu's diagonal run to receive a ball has been good goal opportunity repeatedly.

Fasil Kenema, if scores a goal first, changes formation from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1. This process involves changing roles of players. The team's wing strikers become wing midfielders and Dawit Estifanos becomes the only striking midfielder.

Fasik Kenema's team closes its wings when transitioning from defence to attack. The wing strikers involve in this process actively. Instead of waiting in an opponent's field, comparatively they focus on approaching the wing defenders to assist.

These wing strikers also have a prominent role in attacking. Especially during a transition from defence to attack, they repeatedly possess the ball. We have observed the striking midfielder passing last balls to these wing strikers in the past.

Injuries in St George house!

As in previous matches, Salhadin Seid, Natnael Zeleke, Ame Mohammed, Tadele Mengesha and Alula Girma are sidelined due to injuries. The wing striker, Gadisa Mebrate, back to training, will wait for the medical staff's decision for this match.

We will win!

We have full faith in Sanjaw!