Preview for Week 20

Wednesday, May11, 2011
Niger Tornadoes v Kwara United
The away side, Kwara United, will start the second round of the season with the longest winning streak of four wins on the bounce including a 2 – 0 win in the reverse game in March this year. Kadiri Ikhana’s men last won at Tornadoes in 2007. In 13 past topflight meetings since 2003, Kwara United have the edge with six wins against Tornadoes’ four while the others have ended in draws. Tornadoes should pick all points.
Prediction: 1 – 0

Plateau United v Lobi Stars
Plateau United do not need to consult an oracle to know that they need to start amassing points in the restart of the league to have any chance of survival. Already they have dropped 16 points at home including losing four times at home from nine games. Bitrus Bewarang’s team will want all points in this game after surrendering all points in their first meeting with Lobi in Jalingo in a one-nil loss.
Prediction: 2 – 1

Gombe United v Crown FC
The Desert Scorpions play host to Crown with a poor form guide of just one win in their last five league games. Gombe United have failed to pick points at home just once while Crown have won just once on the road at Jos. Definitely Gombe will be bullish in this tie in a bid to claim all points after losing the reverse match in Ilaro on March 13 by 0 – 2.
Prediction: 2 – 0

Sharks v Heartland
This is the 13th clash between the two sides in the topflight in eight years. Heartland have won six times in those games against the Blue Angels’ five while two matches have ended in draws including the first meeting this season in Owerri, which ended goalless. Unfortunately both sides will be missing key players who are with the national teams on international competitions. This could rob this meeting of quality display, as the share of spoils look in the offing in Port Harcourt.
Prediction: 1 – 1

3SC v Ocean Boys
Pressure is beginning to mount on 3SC head coach, Fatai Amoo, after the club management declared that it will start vetting list of players’ selection for games in the second round. 3SC sit in the table on 14th position with four points above the drop zone going into this game. Amoo is condemned to make sure his side restart on a winning note against 2006 champions, Ocean Boys. The away team’s biggest letup could come from releasing two of their top performers in Andrew Michael and Chigozie Christopher to rival clubs in the mid-season transfer window.
Prediction: 2 – 1

Enugu Rangers v Juth
Rangers have dropped just two points at home this season and it will difficult to see how Juth survive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu with a poor away record of three points from 27. The Healers face a side that has scored an average of 2.1 goals per game at home in the first half of the season. In spite of losing to Juth by two-nil in the first meeting this season, Alphonsus Dike’s team will be out to close the gap on the leading sides in the league.
Prediction: 1 – 0

Kano Pillars v Zamfara United
Zamfara United are the only side that will restart this season’s campaign without a win in their last five games. With Pillars’ head coach, Ladan Bosso and his team condemned to winning something this season, the Kano team will come off the blocks fastest in this game. In the first clash between both sides this season, Obasesam Enite’s goal secured a point for Zamfara in a 1- 1 draw. United have picked just a point in their last four visits to Kano.
Prediction: 2 – 0

Warri Wolves v Kaduna United
It was the solitary goal from striker Saviour Fedelix that earned Kaduna United all points in the reverse game this season. Wolves will aim to climb from fourth to third above Kaduna United - in third spot - but will miss their influential striker, Ehiosun Ekigho as well as goalkeeper Ambrose Vanzekin. Last season in this same match, Paul Aigbogun’s men demolished Kaduna United four-nil but that scoreline might be difficult to replicate though all points look assured.
Prediction: 2 – 0

Enyimba v Dolphins
This is undoubtedly the big game of the week in Aba. Goals from Emah Godwin and Captain Ejindu saved the leaders, Dolphins, the blushes in the first meeting in Port Harcourt after the champions took the lead through Chiedozie Johnson. Dolphins go to Aba as one of the two teams with the longest unbeaten streak of six games. But this will be a big test to the title credentials of Stanley Eguma’s side especially without goalkeeper Sunday Rotimi and winger Chidi Osuchukwu.
Prediction: 1 – 0

Thursday, May 12, 2011
Bukola Babes v Sunshine Stars
Sunshine Stars are the other team in the topflight currently on an unbeaten run of six games. The Stars will continue the chase on Dolphins but without top scorer, Ibrahim Ajani, who is away on trials with Maccabi Haifa of Israel while Ukeyima Akombo is back from Vietnam. This will be only the second topflight game between both sides after Sunshine Stars won the first by one-nil in March. Sunshine Stars will aim to close the gap on Dolphins at the top.
Prediction: 1 – 1