The Sugar Millers are coming off a loss to Migori Youth and a win over Vihiga United in their last two league matches.
Mara Sugar are set to go head to head with Darajani Gogo in the National Super League match at Awendo Green Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Sugar Millers came into the game having suffered their seventh league defeat of the season, a 2-1 loss away to Migori Youth on May 10.
The western-Kenya side has claimed 26 points from 11 home matches this season and are currently placed fifth on the NSL table with 37 points.
Mara Sugar coach Francis Xavier will be under pressure to get his side back to winning ways to keep their tempo high in the promotion race.
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The Sugar Millers midfielders David Owino and Brian Ochieng are expected to miss the clash against Gogo as they continue to recover from their respective injuries.
Philemon Nyakwaka is likely to be the first name on the team sheet, with the striker being the team’s leading scorer this season with seven goals, while Victor Ngume is expected to continue making a nuisance of himself inside the opposition box with his physically imposing game.
Meanwhile, Darajani Gogo looks to continue with their fine form, having picked seven points in their last three matches with their most recent outing, a 5-1 win over Vihiga United last Wednesday.
The Hawks are placed sixth on the NSL, two points below Mara Sugar, who have one game in hand.
Gogo heads into the match without any suspension concerns, but the Kibera side is yet to report injuries ahead of the game against the Sugar Millers.
Pius Aringa, the Darajani Gogo coach, will look for Rashid Moyo, who is in good form, having scored 11 goals this season.
Of the previous two games between the two teams, both have gone the way of Mara Sugar, but Gogo will not be too bothered.
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Aringa’s men have a tendency to throw up a few surprises and the Sugar Millers need to be wary.
But a win for Mara Sugar will go a long way to instilling confidence in the players and fans and also take some of the pressure off Xavier’s shoulders.
Four other matches will be played on Sunday across different venues in the country.
Seventh-placed Naivas FC will welcome fourth-placed Gusii FC at Camp Toyoyo Grounds, while Mully Children’s Family FC will face Vihiga United at Mumias Sports Complex.
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Other matches planned for the afternoon will see Coastal Heroes host Kibera Black Stars at Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa while Silibwet Leons welcome Kajiado at Silibwet Green Stadium in Silibwet.
NSL Sunday’s Fixtures
Coastal Heroes v Kajiado FC , Mbaraki Sports Club, 1pm
Naivas FC v Gusii FC, Camp Toyoyo, 3pm
Vihiga United v MCF, Mumias Sports Complex, 2pm
Mara Sugar v Darajani Gogo, Awendo Green Stadium, 1pm
Silibwet v Kajiado FC, Silibwet Green Stadium,1pm