Looking at the current squad and league dynamics, the Zedekiah Otieno led KCB FC come into the game against Anthony Akhulia’s Bidco United FC as favourites.Sitting fifth on 57 points, KCB will look to push for a top 4 finish, something that could at least appease the KCB brass after a rather disappointing campaign.Bidco overcame a rough patch of form to secure safety and another season in the FKF Premier league. The club with the highest age average in the league (27.57) will look to end the season on a high after being frustrated by an already relegated Vihiga Bullets last time out.In this piece, we set to look at how the game dynamics could be altered tactically by the two coaches, with emphasis on the KCB phases of play and how Bidco United could look to counter them by providing solutions to tactical questions asked.##NAJAVA_MECA_7298737##Otieno will most likely set up in his usual 1-4-4-2, who he opts to start upfront will be the real dilemma. He has been tinkering with his line up, even setting out Nicholas Kipkirui as the lone striker in their last outing against Mathare United.This game could however see Brian Ochieng come back into the fold, in tight contention with Bramwel Chepmweno and partner Apollo Otieno in the midfield double pivot. The backline should consist of Erickson Mulu and Kevin Okumu as the fullbacks while Maurice Owino will partner Haniff Wesonga as the centre backs.Akhulia’s set up will also majorly be in a 1-4-2-3-1, looking to impact the game through a good double pivot balance and the pace in behind of Samuel Ndung’u and Alex Juma in behind. 1️⃣1️⃣ | Line Up▪ Okumu, Wesonga, Owino & Mulu start in defense.▪ Brian “Rio” Ochieng is back in the squad after serving his one match suspension. ▪ Nicholas Kipkirui starts as the lone striker.#MATKBC#Believe #LionHearted 🦁 pic.twitter.com/guDSXTZXKg— KCB Football Club (@KCBFootball) May 27, 2023 David Kalama and Thomas Wainaina will form the fullback options with Peter Nzuki and Francis Oduor in central defense. Jacob Onyango’s late runs into the box and John Owira’s excellent passing coming will come into the fold in midfield.In possession KCB will look to form a 1-3-3-3-1 shape with Apollo as the deepest lying midfielder. He will majorly look to progress the team through the first phase, he will look to drop between the centre backs to aid in progression and look to enable the fullbacks to push higher up to play in line with the other central midfielder, in this instance Ochieng or Chepmweno who is slowly but surely staking his claim as a key player.Typically, Maurice Owino, Haniff Wesonga or even goalkeeper Byrne Omondi will look to play into Apollo.Nzoia, Bandari land in Nairobi as Sharks entertain Talanta in Saturday league clashesIn instances where the opposition looks to place a man to solely mark Apollo Otieno there will be instances of progressive carries by the centre backs to beat the first line of pressure by Bidco United and also they can go long into the channels for their wide attackers.The issue with the KCB set up, is that their rather asymmetrical and narrow midfield could leave Bidco United with an overload centrally. This dynamic helps Bidco United to counter press effectively and prevent the quick KCB balls into a Musa Masika or a Harrison Mwendwa. Bidco United will however, have to sort out on how to stifle the KCB FC build up and progression through the lines. The Bidco United forwards will have to do a very good job in pressing the KCB FC centre backs, any delay or lapse in concentration might harm them. They will have to funnel their press inside where they could gain quantitative superiority over KCB FC centrally.If KCB are able to progress the ball , Masika will look to come inside into midfield, play between the lines, this action could also see the KCB second striker drop deeper to act as a second pivot player next to Brian Ochieng.Record breaking Faith Kipyegon dedicates historic feat to all mothers in emotional messageThis action will allow the width to be provided by the fullback and this is why and where KCB FC is dangerous. KCB also possess in their arsenal long switch balls into an advancing Mulu or a blindside run from Harrison Mwendwa who could use his pace to beat his man.KCB is heavily reliant on crosses and this is something Bidco United will be wary of. Deep crosses, byline low hard crosses and cutbacks are key for the Bankers in their creation phase.This will need the Bidco United fullbacks to have qualitative superiority in the 1v1 situations and top aerial duel dominance by the centre backs with claiming by the goalkeeper having to be on.The Bidco United midfield will also have to work by tracking runners from deep and defending the box well. There is also need for a proper shift by the wide offensive players of Bidco in forming double teams when defending and using the touchline as the extra defender.United won the treble when City were in the third tier but can the Cityzens topple their rivals?This will be done, however, keeping in mind too that they do not want their wingers (Bidco United) to be dragged too deep to not act as outlets in transition situations.Out of possession, KCB will most likely shift into a 1-4-2-3-1 with the top man looking to disturb the opposition centre backs in settled play.In this shape, they will stick to defending in a midblock, making it difficult for Bidco United to play through them into the feet of their between the line playmakers or their target man.This weekend in the #FKFPL 🔥 pic.twitter.com/svP8Fb4ic1— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) June 2, 2023 KCB will look to force Bidco United into the wide areas where they are comfortable defending, even when Erickson Mulu advances to help, one of the double pivot will quickly shuffle to help in the wide area.KCB will look to be very compact, but it is a game in which they should pull their backline a little lower, this will eliminate the threat of Alex Juma and Samuel Ndung’u who have shown their ability to run into the channels.It is a game pitting two sides on polar opposite sides of the table, it will however be a top encounter , key being which side will look to keep the ball, play with a bit of arrogance and patience. It is also a game that could be won by the side more aggressive in their duels and on winning the second ball then looking to play. It is set to be a very good encounter for the neutrals.
