Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Preview for Week 26


Two games involving Kaduna United and Sunshine Stars campaigning in the 2011 Orange Caf Confederation Cup have been postponed by the Nigeria Premier League (NPL).

Sunshine Stars exclusion from matchday 26 hands Dolphins the chance to extend their lead by five points but they face a tough side in Warri Wolves on the road. Here are the previews for the round of 26 matches:

Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Plateau United v 3SC (Rwang Pam Stadium)
Plateau United have showed a lot of hunger to survive the drop this season and they play host to a 3SC side that have struggled to score goals and keep their shape intact till the end of their games. Last time both sides met in this same game, Plateau won by four-nil but lost the reverse game of this season by 1 – 2 to goals from Raheem Owolabi and Kabiru Alausa with George Akpabio’s strike sandwiching them.
Our prediction: 2 – 1

Niger Tornadoes v Ocean Boys (Bako Kontagora Stadium)
This will be the 12th meeting between both sides in the topflight. Ocean Boys have the edge with four wins over three by Tornadoes while the other four ties have ended in draws. In five visits to Minna, Ocean Boys have won twice including the corresponding fixture last season which ended 1 – 0. Coach Samson Unuanel returns to his former club with the hope of winning a first point on the road for Ocean Boys, who won the first meeting this season by two-nil through George Omokaro’s double strike.
Our prediction: 1 – 1

Kwara United v Juth (Ilorin Township Stadium; live on SuperSport 9)
Kadiri Ikhana’s men are tipped to claim a double over Juth in this tie after convincingly winning the first game between both sides this season through second half goals from Gbenga Arokoyo and Anthony Okemiri. The goals have dried up for Kabiru Sanusi, who now trails Ibrahim Ajani by a goal on the scorers’ chart but Kwara should win this.
Our prediction: 2 – 0

Sharks v Zamfara United (Sharks Stadium)
Last season, this same game produced six goals and Sharks won by 4 – 2. Zamfara United have not won at Sharks since 2006 in last four visits but edged the Blue Angels in the reverse match this season by 2 – 1. Definitely the Blue Angels will unleash their attacking prowess after losing at Sunshine Stars on Sunday by 0 – 2.
Our prediction: 2 – 0

Enugu Rangers v Bukola Babes (Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium)
This is just the second meeting in the Premier League between both sides. The Flying Antelopes lost the first to Bukola Babes by a lone goal scored by Abdulrahman Bashir. Lately the Babes have struggled to replicate their early season run that saw them go on an eight-game unbeaten streak at some point. Festus Allen’s men face a difficult match at Enugu.
Our prediction: 2 – 1

Enyimba v Kano Pillars (Enyimba Sports Stadium)
This is no doubt the biggest game of this round. Six-time champions, Enyimba have failed to beat Pillars just once at home – in March 2008. Last season this same fixture ended 2 – 1 in favour of Enyimba and secured a sixth title for the Peoples Elephant. Pillars go into this game having crushed Enyimba by three-nil in the reverse game in Kano but face a side that have scored 22 goals and conceded none in 12 home games.
Our prediction: 2 – 0

Thursday, June 9, 2011
Warri Wolves v Dolphins (Warri City Stadium)
Thursday's big game sees Wolves play host to Dolphins. Wolves have dropped just two points at home all season. Last time Dolphins beat Wolves in this fixture was in 2004 when they won by a lone goal though Wolves were still known as NPA then. But last season in this corresponding fixture Wolves won by 2 – 1 while Captain Ejindu's goal secured a win for Dolphins in the first clash this term.
Our prediction: 2 – 2

Crown FC v Heartland (Gateway Int'l Stadium)
Former Inter Enugu apprentice, Temitope Olusesi got the points for Heartland in the first-ever topflight encounter between both sides last December in Owerri. On paper, Heartland are favoured to win but Crown are capable of creating an upset. This is a tricky tie for both teams.
Our prediction: 1 – 1

2 comments:

  1. Fanks George. I love it this way!

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  2. You're welcome Francis. And thanks for the comment and we hope to improve as the day passes by.

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