WEEK 21 PREVIEWS

Saturday

Gombe Utd v Ranch Bees

It has been contrasting results for the two clubs in their last five matches in the Premier League. Gombe United has won twice (both at home) coupled with two draws and a loss on the road, picking eight points from 15 while has garnered 10 points from 15 in its last five games that has seen the side win three, draw once and lost once. Haruna Babalo and Bala Manu remain key men for the host while Ranch Bees’ coach, Adam Usman, would bank on a number of players like Terkimbi Akighir, Mohammed Lawal, Kabiru Mohammed, Buhari Ja’afar and Muyideen Fine Fine to make the difference in Gombe. In the first meeting this season, Gombe United got a point off Bees on September 30, 2009 and Ben Duamlong would be looking forward to seeing his side pick all points in this game.

Prediction: 1 – 0

RECENT HEAD-TO-HEAD

Sept 30, 2009: Ranchers Bees 0 – 0 Gombe United

FORM GUIDE IN LAST FIVE GAMES

Gombe Utd: WDWDL  

Ranch Bees: WLWLW

Kwara Utd v Gateway FC

In the past two weeks, the duo of Ukeyimah Akombo and the man known as ‘Olopa’ in Ilorin, Jaiyeola Yusuf, has been pulling the strings for the Afonja Warriors and troubled coach of Gateway Football Club, Loveday Omoruyi, should be wary of that fact since he is on a four-match ultimatum from his employer. It appears that the steam with which Afolabi Seun started the season has faded and the Rock City Boys has remained reliant on Osemene Chidinma. But Gateway FC is on a poor run and it does not look like it would stop Kwara United from picking all points in this game.

Prediction: 2 – 0

RECENT HEAD-TO-HEAD

March 5, 2005: Gateway FC 1 – 1 Kwara United

Aug 12, 2005: Kwara United 1 – 0 Gateway FC

Sept 20, 2009: Gateway FC 1 – 1 Kwara United

FORM GUIDE IN LAST FIVE GAMES

Kwara Utd: LWWWL

Gateway FC: LLWLW

3SC v Kano Pillars

On November 20, 2005 when Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) played host to Kano Pillars, it won by one nil and many of the Ibadan club’s fans would hope that their team re-enacts same form on Saturday. Definitely Ahmad Musa should expect to get close attention from Shooting Stars’ back four in this game at the Liberation Stadium, Ibadan. Pillars would be eyeing an outright win to remain on top of the Premier League and starve off the challenge from the chasing pack. But 3SC has started believing after winning in Abeokuta last weekend by 2 – 1 against struggling Gateway FC – its first win on the road this season. This game looks an open one and we will stick out our neck for Pillars.

Prediction: 1 – 2

RECENT HEAD-TO-HEAD

June 18, 2005: Kano Pillars 1 – 0 Shooting Stars

Nov 20, 2005: Shooting Stars 1 – 0 Kano Pillars

Oct 14, 2009: Kano Pillars 1 – 0 Shooting Stars

FORM GUIDE IN LAST FIVE GAMES

3SC: WWLWL

Kano Pillars: WLWDW

Sunday

Ocean Boys v Dolphin

Once again, Ocean Boys has proved that it cannot keep its coach for more than a season after Emmanuel Amuneke angrily threw in the towel citing interference in team affairs. And days later, the side paid dearly when it lost 1 – 5 to league leader, Kano Pillars coupled with a topsy-turvy run in its last five matches. Dolphin has been equally disappointing on its trip away having won no games though with an above average performance in its last five games standing as three wins and two losses. Dolphin’s duo of Captain Ejindu and Joseph Obinna has been a bit off colour since the start of this month while Emma Nwachi returned to scoring ways last week. Stanley Eguma’s men have the quality to nick this game if they are clinical in front of goal though Ocean Boys remains unbeaten at home.

Prediction: 1 – 1

RECENT HEAD-TO-HEAD

Sept 20, 2009: Dolphin 1 – 1 Ocean Boys

FORM GUIDE IN LAST FIVE GAMES

Ocean Boys: LWLDL

Dolphin: WLWLW

Heartland v Tornadoes

In the last four seasons, there have been eight meetings between the two sides and the two sides have won two games apiece with the other ending in stalemate. Last season, Heartland lost the title in Minna by a lone goal on the last day while the reverse fixture ended 1 – 1. This season, the Naze Millionaires failed to pick a point in Minna by losing by same margin like last season. But the club has been boosted by the return of defender Kingsley Udoh, as Kelechi Emeteole’s side would be keen to close the gap on the leaders this weekend.

Prediction: 1 – 0

RECENT HEAD-TO-HEAD

March 12, 2005: Niger Tornadoes 3 – 0 Nationale

Aug 20, 2005: Nationale 2 – 1 Niger Tornadoes

April 15, 2006: Heartland 2 – 0 Niger Tornadoes

June 23, 2006: Niger Tornadoes 1 – 0 Heartland

Nov 4, 2007: Heartland 2 – 1 Niger Tornadoes

March 8, 2008: Niger Tornadoes 2 – 2 Heartland

Jan 11, 2009: Heartland 1 – 1 Niger Tornadoes

June 14, 2009: Niger Tornadoes 1 – 0 Heartland

FORM GUIDE IN LAST FIVE GAMES

Heartland: LWLWL

Tornadoes: WLWLW

Lobi Stars v Enyimba

Enyimba’s best result in Makurdi since 2005 remains a goalless draw on May 16, 2006. Three other visits have ended with the Peoples Elephant losing without scoring though it has won its four home games since May 21, 2005 against Lobi Stars convincingly except for this season’s reverse game that ended 0 – 0 on the opening day of the season. Enyimba surprisingly dropped points against Kaduna United in Aba and slipped from top spot to second while Lobi Stars was edged by Dolphin in Port Harcourt. This could be Enyimba’s fifth loss this season judging by the side’s performance in its last five games, which has seen it win just once.

Prediction: 1 – 0

RECENT HEAD-TO-HEAD

May 21, 2005: Enyimba 3 – 0 Lobi Stars

Nov 2, 2005: Lobi Stars 1 – 0 Enyimba

May 16, 2006: Lobi Stars 0 – 0 Enyimba

July 19, 2006: Enyimba 4 – 1 Lobi Stars

Sept 30, 2007: Enyimba 1 – 0 Lobi Stars

March 26, 2008: Lobi Stars 2 – 0 Enyimba

Oct 30, 2008: Lobi Stars 1 – 0 Enyimba

Feb 13, 2009: Enyimba 3 – 1 Lobi Stars

Sept 20, 2009: Enyimba 0 – 0 Lobi Stars

FORM GUIDE IN LAST FIVE GAMES

Lobi Stars: LWLLW

Enyimba: DLWLD

Kaduna Utd v Wikki

This is a game that should be low-scoring considering the attacking prowess of the two sides. The Tourist won the first game this season by 2 – 1 though it is expected that relegation-threatened Kaduna United should have been boosted by that draw at Enyimba last week. Maurice Cooreman’s side would be fired up and also gun for the full points. Peter Obiorah, Bola Bello and Shuaibu Babangida would be holding the lines for Kaduna United and seek to blow off Wikki.

Prediction: 2 – 0

RECENT HEAD-TO-HEAD

Sept 24, 2008: Kaduna United 2 – 1 Wikki Tourist

Feb 14, 2009: Wikki Tourist 0 – 0 Kaduna United

Sept 20, 2009: Wikki Tourist 2 – 1 Kaduna United

FORM GUIDE IN LAST FIVE GAMES

Kaduna Utd: DWLDL

Wikki: DLLWL

Rangers v Sunshine Stars

The Flying Antelopes is regarded as the pretender to the title this season, as it has remained in close distance to the different league leaders we have had this season. Currently third on the log and a point behind leader, Kano Pillars, Enugu Rangers would be aiming for a third win in the top-flight against Sunshine Stars since 2008. In the first meeting this season, Rangers lost by 1 – 2 in Akure but would want to win this game to remain in contention for a first league title since 1984. Coach Alphonsus Dike would bank on Nonso Elias, Damien Udeh, Fred Okwara, Ejike Uzoenyi and signing Victor Ezeji (if cleared to play this weekend) to wreck Sunshine Stars known for its physical game and route style of football.

Prediction: 2 – 0

RECENT HEAD-TO-HEAD

Oct 13, 2007: Sunshine Stars 2 – 1 Enugu Rangers

Feb 10, 2008: Enugu Rangers 1 – 0 Sunshine Stars

Nov 2, 2008: Enugu Rangers 1 – 0 Sunshine Stars

March 15, 2009: Sunshine Stars 1 – 1 Enugu Rangers

Sept 20, 2009: Sunshine Stars 2 – 1 Enugu Rangers

FORM GUIDE IN LAST FIVE GAMES

Rangers: WDWLD

Sunshine Stars: DWLWL