Football | Nigeria
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This season's Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) will go down to the wire in all aspects. With three rounds of matches to end the season, the title race is among four clubs, Kano Pillars, Bayelsa United, El-Kanemi Warriors and Enyimba.
However the battle for survival is quite intriguing as the teams in the bottom half are all in danger of dropping out of the top flight this term.
The race for the leading scorer is not exempted in the down-to-the-wire race as well. Five players are currently in the hunt for the golden boot in the top flight and they are all on double figures.
This Saturday, the first of the last three rounds of matches takes place and here's a preview of the games:
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Enugu Rangers v Sharks (Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium)
Rangers are eight points below the table-toppers and will fancy making a last moment charge for a spot in the Caf Confederation Cup. Sharks are pushing to finish on a high after a poor start.
I expect a tight contest in Enugu but Chinedu Udeagha has been Rangers' most consistent performer. He will shoulder the Flying Antelopes' attacking charge if he features.
My prediction: 2-0
Nasarawa United v Sunshine Stars (Lafia Township Stadium)
Both teams are still not out of the woods yet. Sunshine Stars have gone unbeaten in their last four league games. But they face a Nasarawa United team that have won their last five home games scoring 13 goals.
I know the like of Victor Namo, Malachy Ilo, Habu Mohammed and Solomon Babatunde will pull the strings for the Solid Miners against Sunshine Stars who have been unimpressive on the road.
My prediction: 1-0
Enyimba v ABS (Enyimba Sports Stadium)
ABS are the only team to have scored three goals in a single game against Enyimba this season when they won the reverse game three-nil in Ilorin.
Enyimba will want to put aside their loss to Kano Pillars in a bid to trample their way back into the top-two in the title race. But this tie will be a close contest as ABS are fighting for survival.
My prediction: 1-0
Nembe City v 3SC (Samson Siasia Stadium)
This is a battle between two teams in the bottom-four. 3SC, who are placed bottom, will be up for a tough test in Yenagoa. City have not conceded in their last eight league matches.
I find it difficult to see how 3SC will score goals in this tie as they've been poor on the road.
My prediction: 1-0
Warri Wolves v Akwa United (Warri City Stadium)
Akwa United have not won in their last seven league games and that's why they find themselves sitting second from bottom on the table. It's going to be a tough Saturday afternoon for Akwa United who won the reverse game by a goal from Emmanuel Ariwa.
After looking at Wolves' attacking options that include Musa Najare, Oghenekaro Etebo, Joseph Osadiaye, Freedom Omofomah and co, I fear for Akwa United.
My prediction: 3-1
Kaduna United v Bayelsa United (Kaduna Township Stadium)
If Bayelsa United would really want to remain in the top-two of the standings or even topple Kano Pillars at the top after this match day, then they must be ready to score against Kaduna United, who have not conceded in their last four home games.
Ben Duamlong's men may not be doing well in their away games I won't put a bet against them that they will drop points in this game.
My prediction: 2-0
Kwara United v Wikki Tourists (Confluence Stadium)
Kwara United are without a win and a goal in their last three matches and I'm sure this must be a source of worry for their gaffer, Samson Unuanel. For Kwara United, the goals have gone dry as they've scored six goals in their last 15 league games.
Tourists will be buoyed to face Kwara United in Lokoja in their present poor scoring form as they make a push for survival. I think Wikki can pull off a point from this tie.
My prediction: 1-1
Gombe United v Kano Pillars (Pantami Stadium)
Kano Pillars head to the Pantami with the hope of pulling off a result. But the table-toppers have only managed to score twice in their last five away matches.
The Scorpions have been stinging real hard in their last six home matches without conceding goals. Going forward they've got Habibu Inusa, Lucky Edjebare, Babangida Ibrahim, Sani Mohammed and Bilyaminu Aliyu to see off Kano Pillars who have been defensively sloppy on the road at times.
My prediction: 1-0
Dolphins v Lobi Stars (Liberation Stadium)
Lobi Stars have been in fantastic form in their last five games going unbeaten and conceding just once. And Dolphins have not beaten Lobi in their last four meetings in the league since January 2011.
But it is a different Lobi team from the one that defeated Dolphins 2-0 in Port Harcourt last season. Dolphins need a win from this game to edge closer to safety and they will get that win.
My prediction: 1-0
Heartland v El-Kanemi Warriors (Dan Anyiam Stadium)
The Warriors are with a full complement of their squad as they surprisingly make a charge for the title against all odds. Troubled Heartland are without a win in their last five league matches and they come into this game with issues bothering on players' unpaid wage and contract fees.
Heartland fell 0-1 in the first meeting of this contest this season but with the Owerri team sitting two positions above the drop zone owing to a superior goal difference, they will just edge this though I expect they'll put their fans through nervy spells in the game.
My prediction: 1-0
•It was quite an impressive outing in the previous match day for The Predictor as he came up with eight correct results including five exact scores.
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