St George face Sidama Buna as Arbaminch City play Mekelakeya

Betking Ethiopian Premier League week 18 matches will start on Friday with two fixtures, league leaders St George host Sidama Coffee followed by Arbaminch City up against the not so mighty Defence Force, Mekelakeya.

Both matches will be held at the Adama Science and Technology University Stadium.

St George and Kedus Sidama Coffee come into the game on the back of opposite results in Week 17 as the "Horsemen" won their tie against Ethio Electric, but Sidama Coffee were defeated by Hadiya Hossana.

There is a 19-point difference between these two teams, with St George on 38 and Sidama Coffee with half of that on 19.

St George are five points clear from their closest challengers, Bahir Dar City and Ethiopia Insurance (in that order).

Sidama Coffee are the second worst defensive team in the league having conceded 30 goals while St George on the other hand are the highest scoring team having scored 30 goals.

Sidama Coffee seemed to have turned a corner a few weeks ago when they won consecutively in week 13 and 14 against the relegation zone teams, Mebrat Hayl and Ethio Electric, but they then lost against Dire Dawa Kenema and Hadiya Hosaena in weeks 15 and 16.

There are a lot of familiar faces in these two teams who will face their former clubs.

Salhadin Seid, Bulcha Shura, Mulualem Mesfin, Mehari Mena and Desta Demu are former St George Players that are now playing for Sidama Buna. Even their coach, Seyoum Kebede, was former player of Horsemen.

On the St George raster, Dawit Tefera and Addis Gidey are former Sidama Coffee stars.

In the second fixture of the day, Arbaminch City will face Mekelakeya with a record of only three wins this season. Mesay Teferi's team are sitting way back in 14th as they have only collected 18 points.

Both teams lost their Week 17 matches; Mekelakeya 2-3 to Adama City while Ethiopia Insurance beat Arbaminch City 2-1.

Mekelakeya are currently in eight position with 23 points and were undefeated for seven consecutive matches before they lost to Adama City in Week 17.

They will be without their key player, Fitsum Alemu.