WEEK 18 PREVIEWS

Saturday

Kano Pillars v Lobi Stars

Second-placed Kano Pillars would play host to struggling Lobi Stars, which started the season on a promising note only to fizzle out as the going got tough. In its past three visits to Kano, Lobi Stars has not picked a point and has managed to score just once being a 1 – 3 defeat last season. However, the visiting side should look out for in-form Ahmed Musa, who has netted eight times in the ongoing season.

Prediction: 2 – 0

HEAD-TO-HEAD SINCE 2005

April 30, 2005: Lobi Stars 3 – 0 Kano Pillars

Oct 8, 2005: Kano Pillars 1 – 0 Lobi Stars

Oct 14, 2007: Lobi Stars 0 – 0 Kano Pillars

Feb 9, 2008: Kano Pillars 2 – 0 Lobi Stars

Nov 29, 2008: Kano Pillars 1 – 1 Lobi Stars

May 24, 2009: Lobi Stars 3 – 1 Kano Pillars

FORM GUIDE IN LAST 5 GAMES

Kano Pillars: LWWWD

Lobi Stars: DWLDW

Gateway FC v Ocean Boys

Suddenly Gateway Football Club, which appeared to have put up a great show in the first 10 weeks of the season, has found itself at the foot of the league log. Now coach Loveday Omoruyi is under pressure to steer his side away from the drop zone. It is bad enough, as the Rock City Boys’ top scorer so far this season, Afolabi Seun, is finding it difficult to score. But Emmanuel Amuneke’s men have not done well in its away games having picked three points from 24. But the Rock City Boys would go on to avoid last season’s performance against Ocean Boys, who did the double over it with scorelines of 0 – 1 and 0 – 2.

Prediction: 1 – 0

HEAD-TO-HEAD SINCE 2008

Oct 25, 2008: Gateway FC 0 – 1 Ocean Boys

March 7, 2009: Ocean Boys 2 – 0 Gateway FC

Gateway FC: LWLWL

Ocean Boys: WLDLD

Tornadoes v Zamfara Utd

Both sides have met four times in the past four seasons dating back to May 7, 2005. The four games between the two sides have produced 15 goals and Zamfara United has not won in Minna in this northern derby. Tornadoes’ striker, Eugene Salami, who would be looking to hit his seventh goal, under the stewardship of new coach Ladan Bosso, is a man that Zamfara United would have to give attention though the home side looks set to pick another three points at home.

Prediction: 3 – 1

HEAD-TO-HEAD SINCE 2005

May 7, 2005: Zamfara United 1 – 0 Niger Tornadoes

Oct 14, 2005: Niger Tornadoes 3 – 2 Zamfara United

Nov 24, 2007: Niger Tornadoes 3 – 1 Zamfara United

March 30, 2008: Zamfara United 3 – 2 Niger Tornadoes

Tornadoes: LWDWL

Zamfara Utd: WLWLW

Ranch Bees v Sharks FC

This is former Golden Eaglets’ head coach, John Obuh’s third game in charge since he was appointed manager of the Blue Angels close to two weeks now. Obuh is not new to the Nigerian league and would hope that his side avoids defeat in the visit to Kaduna against Ranch Bees on Saturday. Already, the likes of captain Odinga Odinga, Victor Ezeji and Bright Ejike among others are fired up for this game, but would have to re-enact a performance similar to the away win over Heartland Football Club in Owerri to pick points off Bees, which is yet to lose at home in eight games.

Prediction: 1 – 1

Ranch Bees: LWDWL

Sharks FC: LWLWD

Gombe Utd v Heartland

In four visits to Gombe, the Naze Millionaires has conceded five goals and scored none. Kelechi Emeteole’s problem has been compounded with the exodus of players such as Uchenna Agba, Joshua Obaje, Kingsley Udoh and Osanga King among others, and injuries to Signswonder Chibambo and Joseph Eyimofe. So the trip to Gombe would be a huge test once again for Heartland Football Club’s title credentials.

Prediction: 1 – 0

HEAD-TO-HEAD SINCE 2005

March 6, 2005: Nationale 1 – 0 Gombe United

Aug 13, 2005: Gombe United 1 – 0 Nationale

May 27, 2006: Gombe United 1 – 0 Heartland

Aug 6, 2006: Heartland 1 – 0 Gombe United

Jan 9, 2008: Gombe United 1 – 0 Heartland

April 27, 2008: Heartland 4 – 0 Gombe United

Nov 9, 2008: Heartland 2 – 1 Gombe United

March 22, 2009: Gombe United 2 – 0 Heartland

Gombe Utd: LWLWD

Heartland: LWLLW

Dolphin v Kaduna Utd

Striker Emma Nwachi should be making a return to the Dolphin Football Club for this Week 18 game. The return of the big striker would definitely gladden manager Stanley Eguma’s heart. Dolphin FC would also have Joseph Obinna in the attack for this game and Maurice Cooreman’s men would not mind leaving Port Harcourt with a point if Peter Obiorah can put up a show against the home side’s defence. But Eguma and his men would aim for the kill this time having dropped six points from 24 in eight home games.

Prediction: 2 – 0

Dolphin: WLLWL

Kaduna Utd: WLWLD

Sunday 7

Bayelsa Utd v Kwara Utd

The two clubs have met just twice in the top-flight in the abridged season of 2006. In this same corresponding fixture on July 15, 2006, the titleholder, Bayelsa United, was held to a goalless draw while the reverse fixture ended goalless in Ilorin. Bayelsa United is just a point over the relegation zone and is a shadow of itself from the team that won the championship last season. Kwara United is the other side that has won twice on the road, and Justin Tenger would be keen to see his side to become the first team to pick all points against the champion in Yenagoa this season.

Prediction: 1 – 1

HEAD-TO-HEAD SINCE 2006

May 5, 2006: Kwara United 0 – 0 Bayelsa United

July 15, 2006: Bayelsa United 0 – 0 Kwara United

Bayelsa Utd: LWDWL

Kwara Utd: WLWLW

Enyimba v Sunshine Stars

This is a battle between league leader and fourth place in which the Peoples Elephant would seek to extend its run at the summit of the log. Since Okey Emordi’s return to Aba on a second mission, the five-time Nigerian champion has continued a fine form at home by winning five in seven games and is yet to concede. Solomon Ogbeide would have to keep a close watch on Osas Idehen, just Enyimba would be keen to stop in-form Ibrahim Babale. But the Peoples Elephant has not dropped a point against Sunshine Stars in its last two games in Aba with last season’s corresponding game ending 2 – 1.

Prediction: 2 – 0

HEAD-TO-HEAD SINCE 2008

Jan 16, 2008: Enyimba 1 – 0 Sunshine Stars

May 18, 2008: Sunshine Stars 2 – 0 Enyimba

Dec 6, 2008: Sunshine Stars 1 – 0 Enyimba

March 22, 2009: Enyimba 2 – 1 Sunshine Stars

Enyimba: WLWDL

Sunshine Stars: WLWLW

Wolves v 3SC

In 27 homes at the Oleh Township Stadium in Isoko, Delta State, Enyimba remains the only side that has picked the maximum points against Warri Wolves. But Mutiu Adepoju leads his charges to Oleh on Sunday in a game that would be difficult for Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), which has just a point from 24 on the road. The Stars has shown that the side is a bad traveler, as it remains the only side yet to score in any away game this season. The last time, Shooting Stars visited Wolves was in 2005 when the side was known as NPA Seasiders, and that game ended one all. But with Wolves glutting with so much talent, it would take a miracle for Adepoju’s men to survive this game.

Prediction: 3 – 0

HEAD-TO-HEAD SINCE 2005

June 3, 2005: NPA 1 – 1 Shooting Stars

Nov 13, 2005: Shooting Stars 2 – 1 NPA

Wolves: DWWLD

3SC: WLDLW

Rangers v Wikki Tourists

This is the 180th game of this season’s campaign, according to the calendar of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL). The Flying Antelopes has been among the chasing pack in the title in this campaign. So far, Enugu Rangers has a balanced team in recent seasons and has done well at home with six wins and two draws in eight home ties. And this should be a concern to Wikki Tourist, which lies on ninth place on the Premier League log and a poor away form that has seen it pick just two points from 21. The odds favour the Flying Antelopes to win this game.

Prediction: 1 – 0

HEAD-TO-HEAD SINCE 2005

April 30, 2005: Enugu Rangers 1 – 0 Wikki Tourist

Oct 8, 2005: Wikki Tourist 0 – 0 Enugu Rangers

June 6, 2006: Wikki Tourist 1 – 0 Enugu Rangers

June 17, 2006: Enugu Rangers 2 – 0 Wikki Tourist

Dec 1, 2007: Wikki Tourist 0 – 0 Enugu Rangers

April 23, 2008: Enugu Rangers 1 – 0 Wikki Tourist

Dec 21, 2008: Enugu Rangers 1 – 0 Wikki Tourist

May 9, 2009: Wikki Tourist 0 – 0 Enugu Rangers

Rangers: LWWDL

Wikki Tourists: WLLLW