Hearts of Oak will be facing a stern test in search of their first victory this season against Ashanti Gold SC at the Cape Coast stadium on Saturday in first home game on their adopted ground.
The Phobians have adopted the Cape Coast stadium as their home grounds for the 2017/2018 campaign because of the renovation works on going at the Accra sports stadium.
It was a mixed feeling on match day one for the Rainbow outfit when they drew 1-1 with newly promoted Eleven Wonders FC last Sunday in Techiman.
A win on Saturday will be a huge statement for Henry Wellington who is chasing the head coach role substantively.
Stalwart defender Inusah Musa and speedster Patrick Razak are doubtful for the game this weekend.
Midfielder Samudeen Ibrahim is also battling fitness to face the Elephants on Sunday.
Ashanti Gold SC got their season off to a bright start with a 1-0 pipping of Wa All Stars last weekend at the Len Clay stadium.
They hope to make it two out of two on the weekend with a victory over the Phobians. If it is achieved, it will be the club's best start to a premiership season since 2015.
The Elephants also seek to repeat last season's remarkable feat against Hearts of Oak. They beat them 1-0 at the Accra sports stadium.
The visitors have a full strength squad to travel with to the Central region.
Experienced left back Seth Owusu and centre back Mubarik Yusif could making their debuts this Saturday.
On loan from Asante Kotoko SC, Isaac Quansah is likely to play in the Gold and Black shirt for the first time against the Phobians.
Dane tactician John Christensen has joined the Obuasi side as technical director.
MATCH FACTS
Head To Head (Since 1999)
Total league meetings = 34
Hearts of Oak wins = 14
Drawn matches = 10
Ashanti Gold SC wins = 10
~ Hearts of Oak recorded only one victory in their last six matches in the premier league. They have drawn all last two.
(W1 D3 L2)
~ Ashanti Gold SC have been beaten just once in their last six fixtures in the premier league.
(W4 D1 L1)
~ Hearts of Oak have lost only one of their last fifteen home games in the premiership. Their last home loss was against Ashanti Gold SC.
(W9 D5 L1)
~ Ashanti Gold SC are without a single win in their last four away matches in the premier league.
(W0 D1 L3)
~ Hearts of Oak have lost only once in their last seven premier league encounters with Ashanti Gold SC.
(W3 D3 L1)
~ Ashanti Gold SC have managed only two victories out of their seventeen travels to Hearts of Oak in the league since 1999.
(W2 D6 L9)
~ Hearts of Oak have managed to keep just two clean sheets from their last six home games in the premier league.
~ Ashanti Gold SC have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last four premiership away matches.
By Nuhu Adams