The stage is set and the players are ready for another Nigerian Professional Football League match day that promises to be exciting for lovers and supporters of the game. 10 crucial fixtures are set to be played across the country and teams will be hoping to get maximum points in order to achieve their specific objectives.
Relegation battle in Benin
Bendel Insurance will host Lobi Stars on Saturday at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium as both teams aim to steer clear of the relegation zone.
The “Benin Arsenal” have endured an abysmal season so far as they sit 19th on the table with 17 points in 17 games. However they have a chance to move out of the relegation zone with a win as Lobi stars are only two points above them and they sit 15th on the table.
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With eight goals in their last five games, the home team have found a resurgence in form in recent weeks. They have also lost just one game during this period, winning two games and drawing twice.
Meanwhile, Lobi Stars inconsistent form has been their achilles’ heel this season. They won their last game against Plateau United, however, they have failed to secure back-to-back wins since the season started. They also have the worst away record in the league, with one point in eight away games.
Top Four clash at the Cathedral
Two among the most in-form teams in the league, Enugu Rangers and Shooting Stars will face off at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Sunday as both teams seek to close the gap on those above them and extend the gap over those below them.
With four wins in their last five, Shooting Stars come into the game as the most in-form team in the league. The “Oluyole Warriors” who sit 4th with 27 points in 17 games have also kept four clean sheets in their last five games.
Similarly, Enugu Rangers have been solid defensively. The “flying antelopes” have kept five consecutive clean sheets in the NPFL and they have won six out of their eight games at the Cathedral.
Shooting stars will hope Anthony Okachi and Joshua Akpan, who have scored two goals apiece in their last five games, will maintain their impressive form as they seek to be only the second team to defeat Rangers at the Cathedral since Kano Pillars achieved the same feat.
Ikorodu City seek to return to winning ways
Despite the fact that this is their debut season in the NPFL, Ikorodu City has been one of the major highlights of the season so far. The Oga Boys slowly grew into the league and they are now a major force to be reckoned with.
The newcomers have however experienced a blip in form in recent weeks as they lost to Bayelsa United at the Samson Siasia stadium before getting a late equalizer against Remo Stars in the Southwest derby. They will also have to play their next two games without fans following a breach of rules.
For their next challenge, Ikorodu city will battle against Abia Warriors who sit 12th on the table with 21 points in 17 games. The home side have also lost just twice this season at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
Ikorodu City will seek to return to winning ways as they have now gone two games without a win after a run of five wins in six matches. They will also want to close the gap on the top four as they are two points below Shooting Stars who sit fourth.
In other fixtures, Kano Pillars will host Niger Tornadoes while El-Kanemi Warriors will face off against Sunshine Stars who will be desperate for a win after losing badly to Niger Tornadoes in their last match.
On Sunday, Nasarawa United will host league leaders, Rivers United who boast the best away record in the league this season with 10 points in eight away matches. Enyimba will travel to Plateau to as they seek to end their 8-game winless run.
In another intriguing matchup, Remo Stars will host Bayelsa United in an attempt to overtake Rivers United as league leaders while Kwara United will face off against Katsina United. The last game of the match week will pit bottom-placed Akwa United against Heartland Owerri.
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