St George take on Hadiya, Hawassa obstacle for Mekelakeya

St George face Hadiya Hossana at the Hawassa University Stadium on Saturday hoping for a turnaround in their Ethiopian Premier League fortunes, while second-placed Mekelakeya must overcome home boys Hawassa City.

St George are currently on a six-match winless run. The Horsemen lost four of their last six matches and shared points in two of them, scoring only three goals.

Derje Tesfaye will be in charge of his second match after the suspension of coach Zerihun Shengeta. He will be hoping for a better result than the 0-1 loss to Ethiopian Insurance last week.

They have now drifted further away from League leaders Ethiopia Nigd Bank and find themselves 14 points adrift in fifth place on the log.

Hadiya Hossana, who holds the record of not losing in 18 consecutive matches in the league, defeated Shashemene Kenema 3-1 last week after three consecutive matches without a win.

Hadiya Hossaena have amassed 34 points in 24 games and are currently ranked eighth on the table.

In the second match of the day, which will be played at 6pm, Hawassa City will meet Mekelakeya.

Hawassa City have won two of their last three matches and shared points in the Roduwa derby in Week 24.

Ali Suleman has been leading the way this season and the Hawassa City team have improved in the defensive department in recent matches.

Mekelakeya have been the closest rivals to Ethiopia Nigd Bank by a few points and have won the last two matches to keep up the chase.

However, the difference between the two clubs has increased to six points after the leaders recorded a 5-0 win earlier this week.

A lot will depend on the form of Mekelakeya's lynchpins, Shemels Bekele and Ali Suleman of Hawassa.