Medeama welcome Asante Kotoko to Tarkwa in a tantalising Ghana Premier League match on Saturday.

The defending champions are in need of an emergency oxygen following an unflattering defence of the Premier League title which appears to be slipping away.

They suffered a 2-0 defeat at Berekum Chelsea on Monday as the Blues completed the double over them this season.

They produced a fine performance at the Golden City park but a woeful showing in the final third undermined their good work.

A change of coach has not sparked the kind of magic wand expected as they continue to huff and puff since the appointment of Bosnian Nebjosa Kapor.

The champions have been far from convincing since their exit from the CAF Champions League to signal a withdrawal syndrome that appears to have hit the club.

The Mauve and Yellow lie 8th on the league table with 39 points, just three above Kotoko and trailing leaders FC Samartex 1996 by 10 points.

Asante Kotoko were far from spectacular despite their solitary 1-0 win over FC Samartex 1996 last time out and will need to engineer a big performance to record back-to-back win in Tarkwa.

The Porcupine Warriors have chalked some decent successes in Tarkwa including their 1-0 win last season.

However, it’s been a tumultuous campaign for the record Ghana Premier League holders this season as they lie 10th on the league table.

Kotoko had gone seven matches without a win until last Sunday’s hard-fought 1-0 win over FC Samartex at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

Medeama have won 2 and suffered 3 defeats in their last five matches.

They have managed to accumulate 30 points at home in this campaign, scoring 13 and conceding 3.  They are the 6^th best performers at home. Medeama SC are unbeaten in their last 5 home games and have conceded the least number of goals at home (3).

Asante Kotoko have recorded 1 draw, 1 win and suffered 3 defeats in their last 5 league games.  Asante Kotoko have accumulated 15 points away from home, scoring 13 and conceding 15. They are the second best away performers in the Ghanaian top-flight this season.

However, they are winless in their last 6 away games.

Medeama SC have played Asante Kotoko three times at home in the league since 2020/21 season with Medeama SC drawing 1 and losing 2.

In the 2020/21 season,  Medeama SC drew 1-1 with Asante Kotoko, lost 0-2 in the 2021/22 campaign  before recording a 0-1 defeat in the 2022/23 season.

The Mauve and Yellow can rely on Kamaradini Mamudu, Kofi Asmah, Kobina Amoah, Godknows Dzakpasu, Derrick Fordjour, Manuel Mantey, Daouda Sidibe, Fatawu Sulemana, Bernardinho Tetteh, Joshua Agyemang, Emmanuel Cudjoe and Diawisie Taylor.

Stephen Mukwala Desse is expected to start the game on Saturday for the Porcupine Warriors with the likes of Peter Acquah, Henry Ansu, Yahaya Baba, Nicholas Bonsu, Emmanuel Kotei, Enock Morrison, Andrews Ntim, Yusif Nurudeen, Kalo Ouattara, Serge Zeze and Shadrack Addo all reportedly available for the match.