The Predictor - ABS, Akwa Utd go live on SuperSport

Akwa United will play hosts to ABS at the Uyo Township Stadium and the game is live on 3.45pm local time (4.45pm CAT).

Kano Pillars look in an advantageous position to remain table-toppers for the fifth consecutive matchday since the start of this season.

Here's a full preview of Matchday 8 in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL):

April 24, 2013

El-Kanemi Warriors v 3SC (El-Kanemi Stadium)

Ten days ago, 3SC romped to their biggest win in this campaign, defeating Akwa United 4-1. The Ibadan club are yet to take a point on the road this term and will head to Maiduguri at a time El-Kanemi have started scoring goals.

The hosts will be happy that 3SC will be without influential Gbolahan Salami, David Amanyi and Tony Edjomariegwe. El-Kanemi have won the last two games of this corresponding fixture. I'll back them to get their second win of this season.

My prediction: 2-1

Wikki Tourists v Sharks (Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium)

I won't class this as a six-pointer just yet since the season is still early. Sharks have not beaten the Tourists since April 2010. Last term, Wikki did the double on the Blue Angels and surely look on the path of winning this game.

My prediction: 2-0

Kano Pillars v Heartland (Sani Abacha Stadium)

This is my pick of this matchday. It's looking like the champions will stretch their unbeaten streak this term beyond 450 minutes of top flight football.

There have been 20 head-to-head NPFL clashes between the two sides in the last 10 years with Heartland having the upperhand with eight wins to six. But Heartland are yet to win an NPFL game in Kano since October 2010 when they triumphed by a goal.

I reckon Pillars will be too strong for Heartland in this tie.

My prediction: 2-0

Kwara United v Nembe City (Kwara State Stadium)

NPFL new boys, Nembe City, are surprisingly sixth on the log after winning 1-0 against Kaduna United in the last matchday. But they face a big test in Ilorin on Wednesday.

Kwara United will be keen to take their points to double figure this term and I do not expect them to fail in their bid to do so. It should be a tight game.

My prediction: 1-0

Gombe United v Enyimba (Pantami Stadium)

This is the 22nd NPFL game between the two clubs since February 2003. Enyimba have won six of the last 21 head-to-head meetings while the Scorpions have managed six. The People's Elephant are yet to win at Gombe United in the last 10 years and it will be hard for them to change that with their stuttering form.

Ex-Enyimba man, Bishop Onyeudo will be motivated to see off his former team. Gombe United surely look good for the full points in my book.

My prediction: 1-0

April 25, 2013

Akwa United v ABS (Uyo Township Stadium; live on SuperSport 9)

Two defeats on the bounce at El-Kanemi and 3SC have seen the hosts drop out of the top half of the standings. Last term, The Promise Keepers pipped ABS 2-1 in this corresponding fixture.

ABS just came out of a three-game run without a win but on the road they are yet to score in 270 minutes after games at Gombe United, Lobi Stars and Wikki Tourists. I'll fancy ABS getting a result in Uyo.

My prediction: 1-1

Bayelsa United v Sunshine Stars (Samson Siasia Stadium)

Sunshine Stars travel without their captain and centre-back, Godfrey Oboabona for this game. The Akure Gunners have often found trips to the hinterland of the south-south difficult. Bayelsa United have won the last three games of this fixture without conceding a goal.

I won't look away from United taking all points as they will be fired up to win this after losing at ABS more than a week ago.

My prediction: 2-0

Lobi Stars v Enugu Rangers (Emmanuel Atongo Stadium)

Rangers suffered a 0-3 loss in this game last term with Jonah Abutu and Tony Okpotu getting the goals. 3SC were the last team to get a point in Katsina-Ala and this term, Lobi have continued to make the Emmanuel Atongo Stadium a fortress.

Lobi should reach double figures in their points haul.

My prediction: 1-0

Dolphins v Nasarawa United (Liberation Stadium)

Dolphins surrendered all points in Enugu in their last game so easily. I think the hosts will be wary of Nasarawa United's form guide of four games on the spin without a loss. The Solid Miners have taken a combined four points at Warri Wolves and Kwara United this season.

But I see a tough game for Dolphins as the Solid Miners will park the bus and wait to stun their hosts with pace on the break. This game will end with a share of the spoils.

My prediction: 1-1

Kaduna United v Warri Wolves (Kaduna Township Stadium)

Despite a six-game unbeaten run, Wolves are six places above the bottom-placed team. They will dare to try the Crocodiles in the wake of their 4-1 win over El-Kanemi in their last game.

For this game, Oghenekaro Etebor will be a marked man after his treble in the last matchday. Kaduna United will get the job done but will work for it though.

My prediction: 1-0

*For the second consecutive matchday, The Predictor got seven correct results and improved on the exact score by forecasting two games spot-on.