Saturday, December 11, 2010
Shooting Stars v Plateau United
The last time these two sides met in this same fixture was on July 17, 2004 and that game ended 1 – 1. But it will be a different tie this time with Shooting Stars having suffered back-to-back defeats at Kano Pillars and Enyimba. The Stars should get back to winning ways irrespective of the fact that Plateau United play some of the finest football in the league this season. And Plateau United will miss the experience of Ajibade Omolade, who is suspended for this game.
Our prediction: 2 – 0
Recent head-to-head
Wednesday, March 24, 2004: Plateau United 4 – 0 Shooting Stars
Saturday, July 17, 2004: Shooting Stars 1 – 1 Plateau United
Bukola Babes v Enugu Rangers
The Flying Antelopes will head into this game with their free-scoring home run, which they have found difficult to replicate on the road. But the only advantage that Alphonsus Dike’s men have going into this game is that Bukola Babes will now play their home games at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna after the Offa Township Stadium was struck off the approved list of centres for matches by the Nigeria Premier League (NPL).
Our prediction: 0 – 0
Recent head-to-head
Dolphins v Warri Wolves
Wolves dominated NPL’s Team of the Month but that mention will come under severe test on Saturday at the Liberation Stadium against Dolphins. Last season in this same fixture, Paul Aigbogun’s men got a point off Dolphins with Ehiosun Ekigho scoring before Emma Nwachi pulled the Port Harcourt side level. Both players are still in the thick of the action for both clubs and should play roles in this star game of the week. But Dolphins look sure bets for this one.
Our prediction: 2 – 1
Recent head-to-head
Wednesday, April 7, 2004: NPA (now Warri Wolves) 0 – 1 Dolphins
Sunday, August 8, 2004: Dolphins 1 – 0 NPA (now Warri Wolves)
Saturday, January 9, 2010: Dolphins 1 – 1 Warri Wolves
Thursday, May 13, 2010: Warri Wolves 2 – 1 Dolphins
Juth FC v Kwara United
On January 30, 2008, Jos University Teaching Hospital (Juth) Football Club defeated Kwara United two-nil. James Amankwei, Chris Madaki, Fidelis Eze, Shola Olaniyi, Moshood Kasali and co will want to ensure that Juth FC grabbed their first win of the season against Kadiri Ikhana’s men at the Rwang Pam Stadium.
Our prediction: 1 – 0
Recent head-to-head
Saturday, January 12, 2008: Kwara United 2 – 0 Juth FC
Wednesday, January 30, 2008: Juth FC 2 – 0 Kwara United
Kano Pillars v Enyimba
The only time Nigeria’s ‘Big Two’ did not meet was in the 2006 season when an abridged format was adopted for the top-flight. In 12 head-to-head meetings since 2003, Kano Pillars have won four while Enyimba have grabbed five wins with the remaining ending in draws. For Kano Pillars, this is the best time to play the champions who nicked them to the title last term. The Peoples Elephant are in a crisis and we do not see them surviving the onslaught in Kano except Salisu Yusuf’s men fail to put the champions to the sword.
Our prediction: 2 – 0
Recent head-to-head
Wednesday, February 26, 2003: Kano Pillars 1 – 0 Enyimba
Sunday, July 13, 2003: Enyimba 3 – 0 Kano Pillars
Sunday, June 20, 2004: Enyimba 1 – 0 Kano Pillars
Wednesday, March 10, 2004: Kano Pillars 1 – 1 Enyimba
Wednesday, March 23, 2005: Enyimba 3 – 0 Kano Pillars
Sunday, August 28, 2005: Kano Pillars 1 – 0 Enyimba
Saturday, November 24, 2007: Kano Pillars 1 – 1 Enyimba
Sunday, March 30, 2008: Enyimba 2 – 2 Kano Pillars
Wednesday, December 17, 2008: Kano Pillars 2 – 0 Enyimba
Wednesday, June 3, 2009: Enyimba 3 – 1 Kano Pillars
Sunday, January 17, 2010: Kano Pillars 2 – 0 Enyimba
Wednesday, July 7, 2010: Enyimba 2 – 1 Kano Pillars
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Zamfara United v SharksThis is a tricky trip for the Blue Angels, who are the other unbeaten side in the Premier League. John Obuh was in charge last season when Sharks held Zamfara United to a goalless draw – which is the best result that the Blue Angels have got on the road against Zamfara. Placed side by side on paper, Sharks have a brighter chance of taking all points from this game.
Our prediction: 1 – 2
Recent head-to-head
Sunday, February 13, 2005: Zamfara United 1 – 0 Sharks
Sunday, July 24, 2005: Sharks 4 – 0 Zamfara United
Sunday, October 21, 2007: Zamfara United 2 – 1 Sharks
Saturday, February 16, 2008: Sharks 1 – 0 Zamfara United
Sunday, October 26, 2008: Zamfara United 1 – 0 Sharks
Wednesday, May 27, 2009: Sharks 3 – 1 Zamfara United
Sunday, January 17, 2010: Sharks 4 – 2 Zamfara United
Wednesday, July 7, 2010: Zamfara United 0 – 0 Sharks
Sunshine Stars v Gombe United
Gbenga Ogunbote’s side should continue with their impressive run at their Ijebu-Ode home ground – Gateway International Stadium. Gombe United have not won on the road against Sunshine Stars since 2003 and that does not look like it will change. Ukeyima Akombo has become a threat to every team that have played at the Gateway International Stadium. This should be Sunshine Stars all the way with Akombo set to grab his fourth goal of the season.
Our prediction: 2 – 0
Recent head-to-head
Saturday, March 1, 2003: Gombe United 2 – 0 Sunshine Stars
Sunday, July 20, 2003: Sunshine Stars 3 – 1 Gombe United
Thursday, October 25, 2007: Gombe United 4 – 2 Sunshine Stars
Saturday, February 23, 2008: Sunshine Stars 1 – 0 Gombe United
Sunday, November 16, 2008: Gombe United 0 – 0 Sunshine Stars
Sunday, March 29, 2009: Sunshine Stars 2 – 0 Gombe United
Saturday, December 12, 2009: Gombe United 2 – 1 Sunshine Stars
Sunday, May 2, 2010: Sunshine Stars 2 – 0 Gombe United
Ocean Boys v Niger Tornadoes
The last four visits of Niger Tornadoes to Ocean Boys have surprisingly ended in same scoreline of 1 – 1. The Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa is yet to yield full points for basement team, Ocean Boys, since the start of the season. But Ocean Boys will be fired to get their first win of the season after a miserable start to the campaign, which has seen them get just two points from 15 and has left them in last position in the Premier League table.
Our prediction: 1 – 0
Recent head-to-head
Saturday, June 3, 2006: Ocean Boys 1 – 0 Niger Tornadoes
Thursday, August 17, 2006: Niger Tornadoes 1 – 0 Ocean Boys
Wednesday, January 31, 2007: Ocean Boys 1 – 1 Niger Tornadoes
Saturday, April 7, 2007: Niger Tornadoes 0 – 1 Ocean Boys
Saturday, October 20, 2007: Niger Tornadoes 2 – 0 Ocean Boys
Sunday, February 17, 2008: Ocean Boys 1 – 1 Niger Tornadoes
Saturday, November 22, 2008: Niger Tornadoes 1 – 0 Ocean Boys
Wednesday, April 8, 2009: Ocean Boys 1 – 1 Niger Tornadoes
Sunday, January 24, 2010: Ocean Boys 1 – 1 Niger Tornadoes
Saturday, July 3, 2010: Niger Tornadoes 0 – 1 Ocean Boys
Lobi Stars v Kaduna United
Son Hingir was the goal scorer for Lobi Stars last season in this same fixture when they played a 1 – 1 draw with Kaduna United and he is still very much in the mix after his one-year suspension was provisionally lifted by the NPL last month. This clash between two sides that are outside of the top half of the log provides Kaduna United a big test against Dominic Iorfa’s men. United do have a chance of leaving Jalingo with a point considering the strength of their squad.
Our prediction: 0 – 0
Recent head-to-head
Saturday, June 3, 2006: Kaduna United 1 – 0 Lobi Stars
Thursday, August 17, 2006: Lobi Stars 4 – 0 Kaduna United
Sunday, November 9, 2008: Kaduna United 1 – 0 Lobi Stars
Sunday, March 22, 2009: Lobi Stars 2 – 0 Kaduna United
Sunday, October 11, 2009: Lobi Stars 1 – 1 Kaduna United
Sunday, March 14, 2010: Kaduna United 2 – 0 Lobi Stars
Heartland v Crown FC
This is the 60th game of the season on NPL’s calendar. It will be a massive test for giant-killers, Crown Football Club. Already, Kwara United and Kano Pillars have tasted defeats in their hands though both came on home ground in Ilaro. Crown occupy ninth position on the table while Heartland are in 12th. But that should change at the end of Sunday when the Naze Millionaires should have won this one.
Our prediction: 2 – 0
Recent head-to-head
None
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