Preview for Week 21

Saturday, May 14, 2011
Dolphins v Plateau United (Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt)
Leaders Dolphins are set to pour all of their anger on struggling Plateau United this Saturday after capitulating at Enyimba in mid-week by three-nil. Bookmakers tip Dolphins to make it a double over Bitrus Bewarang’s side after winning the first meeting by one-nil. In 2004, the leaders secured an impressive double over their opponents by winning 1 – 0 in Jos on April 17 and 2 – 0 in Port Harcourt on August 29.
Our prediction: 2 – 0

Kwara United v Warri Wolves (Gateway Stadium, Sagamu)
Kadiri Ikhana’s side lost for the first time in five outings and now play host to Warri Wolves in third place on the table. Wolves have lost in their last two visits to Kwara United and have won just once on the road this season. Expect Kwara United striker, Kabiru Sanusi to score in this game, as he remains the most consistent striker in the last five round of matches.
Our prediction: 2 – 1

Crown FC v Niger Tornadoes (Gateway Stadium, Ilaro)
Tornadoes edged Crown FC when both sides met in the first meeting this season on November 7, 2010. This time Crown will go out for all points to commence their fight to keep their topflight status at the end of this season. The biggest letup for Justin Tenger’s Tornadoes will be their away form that has seen them pick just three points from 30.
Our prediction: 2 – 1

Juth v Sharks (Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos)
De Healers go into this game as the basement boys after their 0 – 4 loss to Enugu Rangers on Wednesday. Emmanuel Deutsch sure do have a huge task of securing Premier League football for Juth at the end of the season when his side come under the test from the Blue Angels. In the reverse clash, Juth surprisingly got a point off Sharks in Port Harcourt in a 1 -1 draw. But Juth has been so poor at home and that home form has led to the side conceding 12 goals and scoring 10. It will be a difficult game for both sides.
Our prediction: 1 – 1

Sunday, May 15, 2011
Kano Pillars v Kaduna United (Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano)
This match was earlier scheduled to hold on Saturday but has been moved to Sunday after Kaduna United were involved in a vehicle accident along Benin – Auchi road on Thursday morning. But that should not take away the steel often associated with this northern derby regarded as the biggest in that part of the country. Pillars and United played a 1 – 1 draw on the opening day this season but the away team are yet to win in Kano in their last two visits.
Our prediction: 2 – 1

Zamfara United v Bukola Babes (Sardauna Memorial Stadium, Gusau)
This will be the first game of Zamfara United at their original home after using Kano as temporary home ground in the first round. Zamfara will be out to end their six game streak of no wins in the league when they play host to Bukola Babes. In their first meeting this term, both teams cancelled out each other in a goalless tie. The Babes have lost a number of key players but Festus Allen will rally the likes of Otu-Bassey Effiom, Fade Adebayo, Abdulrahman Bashir and others for a result.
Our prediction: 1 – 1

Lobi Stars v Enugu Rangers (Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo)
The reverse fixture produced five goals between both sides to see Rangers win by 3 – 2. In six visits away to Lobi, Alphonsus Dike’s team have managed just one draw in 2005 while they lost this same fixture last season by 1 – 2. Brendan Ogbu will definitely be leading the attacking line for the Flying Antelopes after his hat-trick in his side's mid-week win over Juth. Rangers will hope to improve on their two goals on the road in 10 games. But Lobi will prove a stern test for Dike’s men on Sunday.
Our prediction: 1 – 0

Heartland v Gombe United (Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri)
In spite of having five players away on international duties at the Wafu Nations Cup with the Super Eagles, Heartland should pick all points in this game on paper and put one past Gombe United who won the first meeting this season by two-nil. Gombe, who find themselves in 15th position on the log with six points above the drop, have lost in their last seven trips to Owerri since 2003 including a one-nil loss in this same fixture last term. Heartland look set to climb back into the top half of the table after matchday 21.
Our prediction: 1 – 0

Sunshine Stars v 3SC (Gateway Stadium, Ijebu-Ode)
This is the biggest derby in the southwest. Already 3SC are sweating over their star striker, Gbolahan Salami, who is doubtful due to a thigh strain. But Sunshine Stars go into this game with a superior form guide of four wins and a draw in their last five games over 3SC’s one win, one draw and three losses. 3SC will be up against an in-form side with the league top scorer Ibrahim Ajani back in the team after a 14-day trials at Maccabi Haifa. This game will be a massive test for Fatai Amoo’s credentials.
Our prediction: 2 – 1

Ocean Boys v Enyimba (Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa)
Enyimba's best result against Ocean Boys on the road in topflight since 2006 was a 1 – 1 draw in 2009. Three previous meetings between 2006 and 2009 have ended in defeats for the champions. But the Peoples Elephant will want to complete the double on Ocean Boys after beating them by a lone goal in the first game of this clash in Aba. Interestingly both clubs have similar form guides of two wins and three losses from their last five matches in the league though Enyimba are the most recent winning side with that 3 – 0 bashing of Dolphins in Aba on Wednesday.
Our prediction: 1 – 1