The absence of Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko in the second week league matches, by all standards took away some glamour from the Kinapharma Premier League as the focus of most fans was in far away Angola and Cameroon following their continental assignments.

However week three would definitely come along with fire and thunder as the two most glamorous clubs in the country are back to the local scene to add the needed bite and excitement to the league which has already shown signs of high competitiveness.

As usual all eyes would be in Bolga and Kumasi as the two clubs do separate battles to maintain their pride and honour on the local scene as well as keep their championship aspirations alive.

The big question prior to the week's matches is whether defending league champions Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko are capable overcoming the daunting tasks ahead of them.

For Hearts of Oak playing against Real Tamale United in Bolga some few days after returning from Angola in a CAF championship campaign with a humiliating 3-0 defeat is no good news for them because that venue has been a waterloo for almost all the premier league clubs.

It would be recalled that Hearts' unbeaten run last season in the league was broken by RTU at the same venue hence going there again at a time when things seemed to be going bad for the six times champions, coupled with the recent violence at that venue, is an indication that Hearts are going in for a match of their lives.

The Phobians on the other hand are noted for defeating RTU at their own backyard and would rely on this tradition to clinch victory in Bolga, which might not be an easy task at all. It appears that RTU would this time round pick the three points at stake taking into consideration the home advantage and their invisibility at the venue.

RTU can achieve this giant killing feat by relying on Joseph Adjei and Gilbert Akiyedi to spearhead the attack while Coach Addo would be banking his hopes on the likes of Wisdom Abbey and Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour with support from Masawudu Mumuni to cause damage.

The battle between Kotoko and King Faisal in Kumasi promises to be another thriller taking into account the already existing rivalry between the two clubs. The switch of camp by former Kotoko boss Herbert Mensah to King Faisal and the hullabaloo involved in the transfer of Yussif Chibsah from Faisal to Kotoko would come into play.

Kotoko would be seeking to maintain the smiles on the faces of their supporters after performing creditably in Cameroon against Mont Cameroon in the Africa Cup Winners Cup match last weekend.

However Faisal, who have been a thorn in the flesh of Kotoko since their entry into the elite league would be at their best to prove a point that they are out to make a bigger impact in the league this year.

Faisal stands the chance of beating Kotoko because they have in their camp tried and tested players like Hamza Mohamed, Abu Zeid and Maxwell Konadu who have tonnes of experience behind them.

Accra Great Olympics are likely to maintain their lead on the table after Sunday because they are highly tipped to beat Prestea Mine Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium to extend their four point lead to seven.

If Coach E.K. Afranies' assertion that his team would get better and better, then there is no doubt that the Dade boys are going to play an improved game on Sunday and take inspiration from their small but vociferous fans to put their dreams of winning the league on course.

A local derby between BA United and Berekum Arsenals at the Sunyani Coronation Park can go to any of the sides as encounters between the two sides are unpredictable.

At the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, the rivalry between Stay Cool Professionals and Kpando Hearts of Lions would be revisited as the two sides clash again but this time on a bigger stage.

It would be recalled the matches between the two sides in the division one league and the middle league ended in deadlocks and this would be an opportunity to determine who is superior.

Okwawu United rasta-haired coach Nana Agyeman after two matches in the premiership might now be saying to himself that the local scene has more to it that what he thinks of.

After drawing one and losing heavily against Olympics last Sunday, Okwawu would like to make amends by beating Power FC at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday to keep their hopes alive in the league.

Liberty Professionals would once again maintain their dominance over Sekondi Hasaacas even at the Gyandu park despite the flying take off of the Western Show boys in the league.

This is based on the fact that Liberty on two occasions have won trophies at the Gyandu Park in matches involving the two sides.