Bashir Mutanda has the shining star for SC Villa for the better part of the 2018/2019 StarTimes Uganda Premier League season, even when getting results was a far cry for the 16 time champions.
His 11 goals made him standout and at some stage he was the only positive out the the Villa camp as the winning touch completely eluded them.
Mutanda has gone four league games without a goal for Villa, he last found the back of the net in the one all draw against Bright Stars at Namboole
When the goals dried out, Pius Wangi rose to the occasion, his brace against Paidha Black Angels and returns against BUL and Vipers have put him at four goals in three games for Villa.
In the first round meeting, Juma Balinya grabbed a second half brace in the two all draw, Mutanda had given the visitors at Lugogo a 2-0 lead with a penalty two minutes into the second half.
Villa host Police on Wednesday at Namboole, a Police side that has largely depended on Balinya for results this season.
Scoring goals was never a primary role for the creative midfielder, but he has has found himself in situations where he had to double his efforts just to help the team win.
And that effort has yielded 12 goals, Balinya leads the scorers’ charts and will be expected to be a key player in the game regardless of who takes the day.
SC Villa’s Ashraf Mandela, Asuman Alishe and Yusuf Wasswa are all available for selection after recovering from injuries, meanwhile.
Joseph Semujju is unfit while Derrick Ndahiro is suspended after accumulating several yellow cards, the latter’s calmness will be missed in a game expected to be of high intensity.
Police are enjoying some relative peace on the table as they are seated eighth with 28 points. Abdallah Mubiru coached side played to a one all draw with KCCA FC in their last league encounter. A game they largely dominated but were shy infront of goal.
SC Villa are just two positions and six points above the relegation zone, they have managed two wins, two draws and one loss from their last five league encounters.
The two sides have played out seven draws in their last ten league games, SC Villa have won twice, Police picking the other win.
Elsewhere, Bright Stars host Tooro United at Champion Stadium Mwererwe. Both sides lost their previous encounters, the former 3-0 to Vipers while the latter lost 4-3 to Ndejje Lions in Bombo.
Bright Stars are 11th while Tooro United are 10th on the 16 team log with 24 and 26 points respectively from 20 outings.
At Kakyeka Stadium, Nyamityobora will continue with their efforts to survive relegation as they entertain fifth-placed BUL FC.
The home team have managed just one win since the second round resumed and have lost four. BUL, on the other hand, have managed two wins, two draws and one loss from their last five league games.
Wednesday fixtures
SC Villa vs Police
Nyamityobora vs BUL
Bright Stars vs Tooro United
Tuesday results
Onduparaka 0-0 Vipers
KCCA 1-2 URA
Kirinya Jinja SSS 2-1 Mbarara City
Maroons 3-0 Paidha Black Angels
Ndejje Lions 0-1 Express
