Accra Hearts of Oak will open their 2019/2020 season with a clash against Berekum Chelsea at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday December 29.

The Phobians are coming into the game at the back of a defeat against their arch rivals Asante Kotoko after the Porcupines defeated them by 2-1 to win the President Cup.

Fast forward a lot has changed since then; head coach of the club Kim Grant future has come under a lot of scrutiny with Emmanuel Odoom set to lead the team against Chelsea on Sunday.

Hearts of Oak have made a lot of signings coming into the season and the fans will get the opportunity to watch them play for the first time this season.

The likes of Benjamin Eshun, Charles McCarthy, Emmanuel Mintah, Bernard Arthur and Richard Arthur will be looking forward to make their competitive debut for the Phobians on Sunday.

Headed by French coach Landuit Alain Andre, Berekum Chelsea will be hoping to start the season on a good note against their bogey side on Sunday.

They haven’t been in the news in recent times but the signing of experience and young players in recent weeks could do the magic for the side.

Experience defender Ahmed Adams has returned to the club, former Ghana Premier League top scorer Kofi Owusu and National U23 goalkeeper Danland Ibrahim have all joined the Blues.

Young players like Sefa Biney, Cephas Doku, Samuel Pimpong and Adams will be looking to write their names in the clubs folklore.

The French coach will be relying on the experience of Latif Salifu, John Attouquaye and Zackariah Fusseini for the season.

Team News

Hearts of Oak are expected to make changes to the team that started against Kotoko last weekend.

Richmond Ayi is expected to start ahead of Richard Atta in goalposts.

Michelle Sarpong is expected to be fit and retain his place in the set up.

Joseph Esso and Fatawu Mohammed are doubtful for the game after the duo missed the President Cup against Kotoko.

For Berekum Chelsea, Ahmed Adams is expected to partner Zachariah Fusseni at the back.

Whilst Latif Salifu , Jonas Attouqouye and Kofi Owusu are expected to lead the attack for Chelsea.

Match Fact.

Berekum Chelsea have won 2 of the last three games against Hearts of Oak in the Ghana Premier League.

But the Phobians have won 6, and lost 4 of their last ten games against Berekum Chelsea.

Hearts of Oak came out on top in their last meeting at home in the league winning 2-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium

Probable line up Hearts of Oak

Richmond Ayi, Christopher Bonney, William Dankyi, Mohammed Alhassan, Robert Addo, Aminu Alhassan, Benjamin Afutu, Michelle Sarpong, Benjamin Eshun, Manaf Umar, Korfi Kordzi

Berekum Chelsea

Danlad Ibrahim– Francis Twene, Zackaria Fuseini, Attuquaye, Braimah Ali Foster (C), Latif Salifu, Alhassan Mankuyali, Kwame Antwi, Seth Larbi Appiah, Cephaz Doku, Ahmed Adams.