Saturday, January 8, 2011
Bukola Babes v Warri Wolves
Festus Allen’s men will now play their home games at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi starting with the game against Warri Wolves this weekend. Bukola Babes have won just twice in their last five games while Wolves have won thrice in last five games and will be eyeing a second win on the road. A difficult game against the newcomers but we fancy Wolves to get a result.
Prediction: 1 – 2
Recent head-to-head meetings
None
Dolphins v Heartland
Chidi Osuchukwu, Sunday Rotimi, Owusu Addae, Emah Godwin and Captain Ejindu are all shaping up to ensure that they keep Dolphins on top of the league log for the second week when Heartland come calling in Port Harcourt on Saturday. Heartland have largely struggled on the road in this campaign and followed that struggle with a goalless draw at home to Lobi Stars last week in Aba, now their temporary home ground. Dolphins will edge their way in this one.
Prediction: 1 – 0
Recent head-to-head meetings
April 15, 2010: Dolphins 1 – 0 Heartland
November 18, 2009: Heartland 1 – 0 Dolphins
September 22, 2004: Dolphins 4 – 0 Nationale (now Heartland)
April 25, 2004: Nationale (now Heartland) 2 – 0 Dolphins
July 31, 2005: Dolphins 1 – 1 Nationale (now Heartland)
February 20, 2005: Nationale 1 – 0 Dolphins
August 24, 2003: Dolphins 1 – 0 Nationale (now Heartland)
March 19, 2003: Nationale (now Heartland) 2 – 0 Dolphins
Kano Pillars v Enugu Rangers
There have been 16 meetings in the topflight between these two sides since 2003. From the 16 games, there have been three draws – all at Kano Pillars – with Rangers grabbing eight wins. But the Flying Antelopes head to Kano with a poor away form of no points and goals in this ongoing campaign. Both teams share same form guide of three wins from their last five games. But Salisu Yusuf’s men should get all points against their Rangers’ counterparts, who are still struggling on the road.
Prediction: 2 – 0
Recent head-to-head meetings
May 16, 2010: Kano Pillars 1 – 0 Enugu Rangers
December 20, 2009: Enugu Rangers 1 – 0 Kano Pillars
April 25, 2009: Kano Pillars 1 – 1 Enugu Rangers
December 14, 2008: Enugu Rangers 1 – 0 Kano Pillars
January 30, 2008: Enugu Rangers 2 – 1 Kano Pillars
January 12, 2008: Kano Pillars 1 – 0 Enugu Rangers
April 8, 2007: Enugu Rangers 2 – 0 Kano Pillars
January 31, 2007: Kano Pillars 1 – 0 Enugu Rangers
July 19, 2006: Enugu Rangers 3 – 2 Kano Pillars
April 22, 2006: Kano Pillars 0 – 0 Enugu Rangers
September 11, 2005: Kano Pillars 1 – 0 Enugu Rangers
April 3, 2005: Enugu Rangers 1 – 0 Kano Pillars
June 6, 2004: Enugu Rangers 2 – 0 Kano Pillars
March 3, 2004: Kano Pillars 1 – 1 Enugu Rangers
September 14, 2003: Kano Pillars 2 – 0 Enugu Rangers
March 26, 2003: Enugu Rangers 1 – 0 Kano Pillars
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Shooting Stars v Niger Tornadoes
Fatai Amoo’s men have won three of their four last home games against Niger Tornadoes. Shooting Stars are aiming for a fifth win that could see them climb into the top six depending on the outcome of the other results this weekend. Gbolahan Salami and Raheem Owolabi are primed to continue upfront for the Stars against Tornadoes. This looks like another win in the offing for Shooting Stars.
Prediction: 1 – 0
Recent head-to-head meetings
June 13, 2010: Shooting Stars 2 – 1 Niger Tornadoes
January 27, 2010: Niger Tornadoes 2 – 0 Shooting Stars
June 18, 2006: Shooting Stars 2 – 0 Niger Tornadoes
June 8, 2006: Niger Tornadoes 1 – 0 Shooting Stars
October 22, 2005: Shooting Stars 1 – 0 Niger Tornadoes
May 18, 2005: Niger Tornadoes 1 – 1 Shooting Stars
August 25, 2004: Niger Tornadoes 1 – 0 Shooting Stars
April 7, 2004: Shooting Stars 0 – 0 Niger Tornadoes
Zamfara Utd v Kaduna Utd
Two seasons ago this same game raised dust following Zamfara’s 9 – 0 win. But we will not be seeing such a scoreline in this clash. Kaduna United will miss their top scorer, Jude Aneke, who is out injured after he suffered a broken toe on December 23 against Ocean Boys. Maurice Cooreman’s men will make the short trip from Kaduna to Kano with the hope of taking a result away from Zamfara United.
Prediction: 1 – 1
Recent head-to-head meetings
April 11, 2010: Kaduna United 0 – 0 Zamfara United
November 29, 2009: Zamfara United 1 – 1 Kaduna United
June 14, 2009: Zamfara United 9 – 0 Kaduna United
January 11, 2009: Kaduna United 3 – 1 Zamfara United
Sunshine Stars v Kwara Utd
After missing out in last week’s loss at Kaduna United, Ukeyima Akombo should return to the line of duty for Sunshine Stars. Gbenga Ogunbote’s side have been difficult to play against when at home and Kadiri Ikhana will send out his players with the intent to get all points. But expect Sunshine Stars to return to winning ways.
Prediction: 2 – 1
Recent head-to-head meetings
March 28, 2010: Sunshine Stars 1 – 0 Kwara United
November 18, 2009: Kwara United 2 – 0 Sunshine Stars
March 26, 2008: Sunshine Stars 2 – 0 Kwara United
September 29, 2007: Kwara United 2 – 0 Sunshine Stars
May 17, 2003: Kwara United 1 – 1 Sunshine Stars
March 29, 2003: Sunshine Stars 1 – 0 Kwara United
Ocean Boys v Crown FC
For Crown Football Club, fatigue could set in for them due to the long trip from Ilaro to Yenagoa. They are a new side in the topflight and the rigours of the campaign appear to be setting in. Ganiyu Salami’s men will not escape a back-to-back defeat in the space of seven days, as Ocean Boys zero in on their third win of the season.
Prediction: 2 – 0
Recent head-to-head meetings
None
Lobi Stars v Juth FC
Two seasons ago this corresponding fixture ended goalless. The Healers as the Jos University Teaching Hospital (Juth) Football Club are called have struggled getting the wins in the bag. They have managed just one win with four draws. On the road, it has not been a fine season for The Healers and it might just be another difficult trip for Tunde Abdulrahman’s side.
Prediction: 1 – 0
Recent head-to-head meetings
February 25, 2009: Lobi Stars 0 – 0 Juth FC
January 17, 2009: Juth FC 0 – 0 Lobi Stars
March 5, 2008: Lobi Stars 2 – 1 Juth FC
October 27, 2007: Juth FC 3 – 0 Lobi Stars
Enyimba v Gombe Utd
This is game number 100 in the season and the champions, Enyimba, get that honour of playing host to this game. The six-time champions are still far from their best due to financial crisis rocking the side. But at home this term, they have managed to grab the points with solitary goals mostly from the spot. Expect Enyimba key players to remain missing once again in this game though they will win this one.
Prediction: 1 – 0
Recent head-to-head meetings
April 10, 2010: Enyimba 1 – 0 Gombe United
November 28, 2009: Gombe United 1 – 1 Enyimba
March 8, 2009: Enyimba 2 – 0 Gombe United
October 26, 2008: Gombe United 2 – 1 Enyimba
May 25, 2008: Enyimba 4 – 0 Gombe United
January 6, 2008: Gombe United 1 – 0 Enyimba
June 10, 2007: Enyimba 1 – 1 Gombe United
March 7, 2007: Gombe United 1 – 0 Enyimba
January 14, 2007: Enyimba 2 – 0 Gombe United
July 2, 2006: Gombe United 1 – 0 Enyimba
April 26, 2006: Enyimba 2 – 1 Gombe United
November 20, 2005: Gombe United 3 – 0 Enyimba
June 19, 2005: Enyimba 3 – 0 Gombe United
29.08.2004: Enyimba 1 – 0 Gombe United
April 18, 2004: Gombe United 1 – 1 Enyimba
July 3, 2003: Enyimba 1 – 0 Gombe United
February 12, 2003: Gombe United 0 – 0 Enyimba
Monday, January 10, 2011
Plateau Utd v Sharks
The last time both teams met in the topflight was in the 2003 season – and Plateau United did the double over the Blue Angels. Last Thursday, Sharks lost in a rescheduled game to Shooting Stars in Abeokuta and I cannot see them overcoming Ndubuisi Nduka’s men in spite of their poor form that has kept them bottom of the log this season. Plateau United will give everything into this game to claim all three points against the Wafu Cup holders.
Prediction: 2 – 1
Recent head-to-head meetings
July 26, 2003: Plateau United 2 – 1 Sharks
March 5, 2003: Sharks 0 – 1 Plateau United
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