Sitting in 14th position, two points off the drop zone and having not won a league match in 9 games is not something Bidco United Coach Anthony Akhulia would have fathomed.However, this is his current situation and as the man with the keys to the team he should find a way of getting rid of the disastrous form his team is in.In round 26 of the FKF Premier League coach Akhulia’s Bidco United come up against David Ouma coached Sofapaka FC.🚨 It’s MATCHDAY!🆚 @fCBidco⌚ 15:15 hrs📌 Annex@OyandoRonny#BatotoBaMungu pic.twitter.com/woPJtWK6jW— Sofapaka FC (@FC_Sofapaka) April 22, 2023 In this piece we set to look at how the teams could set up and how the two struggling sides will look to outsmart each other on the green.Sofapaka lie in 12th position, on 28 points, the team has not won a league match in 4 games, losing one and drawing three, the consistent draws also show on the team’s goal difference, which is at 0, scoring and conceding 22 goals in each parameter.Coach David Ouma will look to rally his charges to get a positive result against struggling opposition in Bidco.##NAJAVA_MECA_7202839##Operating with a rather lean squad after major departures for instance talisman Ambrose Sifuna, Ouma will most likely set his side up in a 1-4-3-3 structure with a double pivot in midfield.In goal the impressive Simon Masaka will be trusted, with Tyson Omondi and Evans Maliachi in the fullback positions. David Nshirimana and Stephen Okola could be trusted as the centre back partnership.In midfield Stephen Okola and Ben Stanley will make up the midfield double pivot with Sunday Ikekhai in the advanced role. Jacob Panoam and Simon Munala could play each side of Roddy Manga.🔜Last one before tomorrow✊Pumped up for Saturday’s battle@OyandoRonny#BatotoBaMungu pic.twitter.com/yufQYnNHlJ— Sofapaka FC (@FC_Sofapaka) April 21, 2023 Sofapaka will set to look for progression higher up the pitch when pressed high, with goalkeeper Masaka well able to hit long balls into the channels and the combative midfielders battling it out for the second balls.The team then looks to circulate the ball to the flank where the far fullback joins in the attack when a cross is whipped in and the team commits numbers in the box.The main mode of creation as stated above will be the use of crosses by the team with Munala inverting. The wicked left foot of Maliachi will look to overlap and let in crosses, his delivery being of top notch quality and can trouble any opposition. Title credentials at stake for in-form Tusker and patchy Gor Mahia in mouthwatering Saturday clashesHis low whipped in deliveries saw him get his team back in the game against Ulinzi Stars.The main area of concern for Sofapaka will be the spaces left behind by the overlapping fullback, this spaces can be heavily exploited as Ulinzi did and can hurt the Ouma led charges.Coach Akhulia could look to stick to his preferred 1-4-2-3-1 formation. He faces a selection headache as his personnel has not been giving the required results on the pitch.CAFCL: Simba lock horns against defending champions Wydad as Sundowns take on BelouizdadIn goal he could go with Daniel Oduor, though the last time out against Bandari, the keeper made an error leading to the set-piece goal so back up Edwin Omuabani could have a shoe in.In defense he could go with the calm and collected Peter Nzuki for his ball playing tendencies while partnering him with Gabriel Wandera.The fullback positions could be occupied with David Kalama and Geoffrey Gitau. Former Ulinzi Stars man Jacob Onyango could get the nod in midfield, especially as his late runs into the box could be key.Gor Mahia and Kenya Police FC Clash in FKFPL Round 26: A Tactical AnalysisHe will be looking to partner with Michael Omondi with Zachariah Gathu as the advanced midfielder. Out wide talisman and main threat Alex Juma is set to start with Thomas Wainaina on the other flank.In possession Bidco United use a mixed output approach in the buildup phase with the goalkeeper going short to the centre backs who will then go long into the channels.Their fullbacks position one wide and one deep in the buildup phase. Bidco midfielder Michael Omondi looks to be very aggressive on the second balls and his role is to pick out the attackers with long balls in behind.Three year ban for Chess CheatThe team looks to utilize combination play, majorly on the left wing to progress play with advanced midfielder Zachariah Gathu dropping deep to drive the ball, his movement together with the second striker is majorly used as a decoy to create space for the main threat Juma, who is very quick and has impeccable ball striking.Out Of possession Bidco look to play in a 1-4-4-2 formation with emphasis on a resolute midblock which is very aggressive.##NAJAVA_MECA_7198406##This is a match that will be won on the aggression a team has on the duels, especially centrally.Bidco United have come to shoot themselves in the foot by committing fouls in dangerous areas and also not closing down shooters from distance while Sofapaka will have to cope with the cover for the overlapping fullback in the game and how they can destabilize the good pivot balance that Bidco United have in midfield.
