Overview:
The hosts are perfect from their first four league matches with 7 goals scored and only one conceded while the visitors have now won five in a row coming into the big one.
Two in form sides Vipers and SC Villa face off at Kitende on Saturday in a match that holds title significance early in the race.
The hosts are perfect from their first four league matches with 7 goals scored and only one conceded while the visitors have now won five in a row coming into the big one.
To many pundits, the two are favourites to go head-to-head in the race for the championship this season alongside KCCA.
The venoms have quality, class and experience in all departments but despite Ivan Minnaert’s squad being far more established, choosing between the two is now far from simple, particularly when it comes to the best squad.
But here is Ismael Kiyonga’s combined XI based on the matches played so far.
Goalkeeper: Alfred Mudekereza (Vipers)
Without doubt, the league’s most experienced custodian and the best at the moment. Three clean sheets in four matches could be a mere stat but he has made outstanding saves to keep opponents at bay especially in games away to Entebbe UPPC and Express, winning the Man of the Match in the former.
Villa’s youngster David Lukwago has done well so far keeping his seniors on the bench but Mudekereza is a class act so far.
The backline: Vipers’ Bady Dasylva joins Villa’s trio
With the fewest goals (1) conceded so far, you would expect the Venoms to dominate here but it is not the case.
First, at right back, Villa captain David Owori takes it. One of the easiest choices in this squad selection as Vipers right backs have failed to cement a place in their team giving makeshift Rogers Torach to take over.
At left back, I have gone with Kato Ssemayange over Enock Luyima for he has been solid and also good moving forward.
Vipers’ Congolese Bady Dasylva import is a must at centre back as he oozes class with his confidence, calmness and maturity on the ball and likes to play from the back with ease.
He will be complimented by Villa’s Geoffrey Lubangakene as the left sided centre back.
The midfield: Vipers dominate here but Misi Ssemugera is a must
My number six has to be Villa’s Diego Misi Ssemugera who has improved a lot under Serbian coach Zeljko Kovacevic. A ball winner who has improved his passing as well and sits between two centre backs well when the Jogoos play from the back.
Enock Ssebagala in the number 8 role beats Aslam Ssemakula and Najib Yiga because he fitted in well at Kitende so far and arguably, he is the best natural 8 in the premier league right from last season.
Star boy Allan Okello in the number 10 role is undisputed and this one area where the Blues appear to lack in their so far well-coordinated machine.
Forwards: A focal point lacking but wide areas are easy choices
SC Villa have not had a consistent number 8 with Kovacevic fielding Charles Lwanga, Andrew Otim, Frank Ssebuufu and Reagan Mpande in the role interchangeably.
At least, Vipers have been consistent with Yunus Sentamu in the area and despite not scoring goals, he brings more to the side in attack and leads my forward line.
On the right is Vipers’ new boy Usama Arafat whose start to life at Kitende is decent and then Hassan Mubiru on the left. The Villa youngster seems to have finally rediscovered his mojo. A purposeful entertainer who is effective with his dribbling and crosses as well.
