The Ghana Premier League surges into matchday 28 this weekend with tension tightening at both ends of the table, as the title race sharpens into focus and the battle for survival grows increasingly unforgiving.

With just seven matches left in the 2025/26 campaign, every point now carries consequence — and for giants Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, the margin for error has all but vanished.

Locked on 43 points apiece and trailing leaders Medeama SC by six, the two most decorated clubs in Ghanaian football find themselves at a critical juncture. Form has deserted them at the worst possible time, goals have dried up, and belief is beginning to flicker. Yet, history suggests that if any clubs can summon a late surge, it is these two.

Hearts of Oak return to the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday to face Young Apostles, buoyed slightly by finally ending a three-month home goal drought in their draw with Swedru All Blacks. However, the Phobians remain winless in five league matches — a stark dip since their impressive victory over Kotoko in Kumasi on February 15.

For coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, the equation is straightforward but far from simple: rediscover attacking fluency while restoring defensive discipline.

Hearts showed glimpses of attacking intent last weekend but were undone by familiar lapses at the back — a recurring flaw that has stalled their title ambitions.

Encouragingly, they hold a dominant record over Young Apostles, winning two and drawing one of their three meetings since the Wenchi-based side’s promotion.

But past results will count for little if Hearts fail to impose themselves with authority. With Medeama and second-placed Gold Stars edging further ahead, anything short of victory could effectively end their pursuit of the title.

Kotoko’s plight mirrors that of their fiercest rivals. The Porcupine Warriors have also struggled for rhythm in recent weeks, managing just two wins in their last seven outings. More troubling is their bluntness in attack, having failed to score in three of their last four matches — a statistic that underlines a growing lack of cutting edge.

They will, however, welcome a return to the Baba Yara Stadium on Easter Monday to face FC Samartex, a side they have historically dominated. Kotoko have won four of their last six meetings against the Samreboi-based side, losing just once, and will view this fixture as an opportunity to reset their campaign.

Much will depend on leading scorer Albert Amoah and the supporting cast of Captain Samba O’Neil and Morifing Donzo, whose combined influence has been central to Kotoko’s attacking play this season.

The latter two, joint-leading foreign scorers in the league with five goals each, must now shoulder greater responsibility in front of goal if Kotoko are to revive their faltering challenge.

At the summit, Medeama SC hold a slender advantage but face a stern examination away to a resurgent Bechem United.

After snapping a seven-match winless streak to reclaim top spot, Medeama must now demonstrate the consistency of champions. Bechem, meanwhile, are surging at the right time, chasing a third consecutive victory as they seek to pull clear of relegation danger.

The hosts will look to the prolific Augustine Okrah, the league’s second-highest scorer with 10 goals, to spearhead their charge. His duel with Medeama’s backline could prove decisive in a contest that carries significant implications for both the title race and the relegation scrap.

Defending champions Gold Stars are poised to capitalise on any slip by the leaders as they host Nations FC in a compelling clash at Dun’s Park. Both sides boast unbeaten home records this season, but Gold Stars have turned their ground into a veritable fortress, amassing a league-high 11 wins from 13 matches.

With leading marksman Samuel Atta Kumi in fine form, Gold Stars will fancy their chances of maintaining pressure on Medeama while fending off a disciplined Nations FC side capable of upsetting the established order.

Further down the table, the fight for survival is equally gripping. Berekum Chelsea, languishing in 16th, face a high-stakes regional derby against Aduana FC, knowing that anything less than victory could deepen their relegation woes.

The stakes are similarly high for Swedru All Blacks, who sit just above the drop zone and must navigate a tricky encounter against an in-form Dreams FC.

Elsewhere, Basake Holy Stars welcome a confident Karela United side to the AAK II Sports Arena, while Hearts of Lions, hovering just two points above the relegation line, seek to halt their slide against Vision FC in Kpando.