Hearts of Oak are chasing a third successive victory for the first time this season as they tackle newbies Elmina Sharks FC at the Accra sports stadium on Sunday.
The Phobians won back to back for the first time this campaign after pipping Ashanti Gold SC 1-0 at the Len Clay stadium in Obuasi last Saturday.
They are now a point adrift of arch rivals Asante Kotoko SC on the log.
The return of Ruben Gnagne and Richard Yamoah to full training has boosted the rainbow family. Inusah Musa is also out with an injury.
Malik Akowuah has been ruled out for the rest of the first round which means he is out of Sunday's match.
He is suffering from an ankle injury.
After back to back defeats, Elmina Sharks are poised to make amends with at least one point from their visit to the capital to play giants Hearts of Oak.
The newcomers were dispatched at their own backyard when West African Football Academy beat them 2-1 at the Ndoum sports stadium last Sunday.
Lanky midfielder Edward Ebo Mends made his first start of the season last Sunday after returning from a lengthy lay off due to an injury.
He is likely to start again on Sunday.
Daniel Obeng Crentsil is expected back into the squad for this weekend's crunchy game. He suffered a serious injury at Tamale.
MATCH FACTS
HEAD TO HEAD
Total league meetings = 0
Hearts of Oak wins = 0
Drawn matches = 0
Elmina Sharks wins = 0
~ Hearts of Oak have lost just two of their last six matches in the premier league. They have won all of their last two.
(W4 D0 L2)
~ Elmina Sharks FC have managed just two victories in their last six league matches. They are winless in their last three.
(W2 D2 L2)
~ Hearts of Oak are unbeaten in their last five home fixtures in the premier league. They have won all of their last four.
(W4 D1 L0)
~ Elmina Sharks FC are without a win in their five away premier league matches this season.
(W0 D3 L2)
~ Hearts of Oak are playing Elmina Sharks FC for the first time in the history of the premiership.
~ Elmina Sharks FC have drawn all their premiership matches against Greater Accra clubs this season. 2-2 with Great Olympics and 1-1 with Liberty Profs.
~ Hearts of Oak have kept four clean sheets in their eleven premiership matches this campaign.
~ Elmina Sharks FC have three clean sheets to their credit after eleven matches in the premier league this season.
By Nuhu Adams