With
the postponement of the Kano Pillars - Akwa United clash by the League
Management Company (LMC) owing to the coaches of the Nigerian champions being
involved in a car crash, I have picked Warri Wolves to edge closer to the top
of the Glo Premier League table after this weekend.
The
dogfight is definitely activated as the bottom four clubs aim to give
themselves shouting chances of survival.
Saturday,
August 3, 2013
Kwara United v
Sharks (Kwara State Stadium)
With
each round of matches that go by Sharks continue to look like a team heading
for the second tier. I don't know how they will survive in Ilorin against Kwara
United who won the reverse game in Port Harcourt via Najeem Olukokun's strike.
Certainly
a double looks on the card for the Afonja Warriors over Sharks who have failed
to earn a point in their last five away games. The Blue Angels though can draw
inspiration from the fact that they had earlier secured a 0 – 0 in Ilorin
against ABS this term, but against Kwara United I won't place a bet on Sharks
swimming out of trouble.
My
prediction: 2 – 0
August
4, 2013
El-Kanemi
Warriors v Enyimba (El-Kanemi Stadium)
The
Warriors have already downed Kano Pillars, Enugu Rangers and Heartland in
Maiduguri this term, and it's going to be tough for the People's Elephant
escaping defeat.
I
feel the Cup schedule in mid-week and the long trip from the southwest to the
northeast will be Enyimba's undoing for this tie. Zachary Baraje, who has been
named the League Bloggers Awards (LBA) manager for July, will definitely set
the duo of Raphael Boumsong and Ezekiel Thompson on the two-time African
champions, and I believe it will yield the three points.
My
prediction: 1 – 0
Wikki Tourists
v Bayelsa United (Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium)
Bayelsa
United head coach, Ladan Bosso returns to a familiar terrain to face his old
club. Wikki lost the first meeting this season 0 – 2 but are now left with no
option than to give themselves a chance of climbing out of bottom place.
I'm
sure the Tourists will give an arm and a leg for this contest but it's sure
going to be a tightly fought match.
My
prediction: 1 – 0
Dolphins v ABS
(Liberation Stadium)
Former
champions Dolphins will definitely be looking to crash into the top four after
this weekend. ABS appear jaded this term especially as their talisman,
Abdulrahman Bashir has struggled to come to the party.
Ifeanyi
Egwim and Olewezi Johnson have come good in Dolphins' last two games and it is
difficult for me to look away from the quality at Stanley Eguma's disposal for
this tie.
My
prediction: 2 – 1
Lobi Stars v
3SC (Emmanuel Atongo Stadium)
Federation
Cup semifinalists, Lobi Stars have not beaten 3SC in two years, five months and
13 days. 3SC are on a poor league run of five matches without a win since a 2 –
0 triumph over Kaduna United on June 12.
Though
Lobi have found themselves at the wrong side of the Premier League table
following no wins in three straight matches, I doubt 3SC can replicate the 1-1
draw they got in this corresponding fixture last season.
My
prediction: 2 – 0
Gombe United v
Sunshine Stars (Pantami Stadium)
The
Akure Gunners have been poor on the road this term by their standards - taking
just two points out of 33 and scoring just twice and conceding 14. Sunshine
Stars have brought back players like Tamen Medrano and Izu Azuka in the
mid-season transfer window.
Gombe
United have been so strong at home this season dropping two points. I'll go for
them clinching all points in this game.
My
prediction: 1 – 0
Kaduna United
v Heartland (Kaduna Township Stadium)
After
being bundled out of the Cup, I expect Heartland to give Kaduna United a real
battle for the points this Sunday. The visiting team have conditioned well
having spent about a week in Kaduna.
The
Crocodiles have had a decent run of five wins in their last five home games but
I think Heartland can pull off a result from this game.
My
prediction: 1 – 1
Warri Wolves v
Enugu Rangers (Warri City Stadium)
It
is four years, two months and nine days since Rangers defeated Wolves in a top
flight game which is seven straight league matches. Okey Emordi's men have been
far from impressive in recent matches especially on the road.
Wolves
have got quality to throw all over the park. Oghenekaro Etebo, Musa Najare,
Joseph Osadiaye and Freedom Omofomah are among those capable of hurting
Rangers. Rangers cannot feature Sunday Mba in this game as he is ineligible
since he is loan from Wolves. I know the Flying Antelopes will be broken by the
Warri club in this contest.
My
prediction: 1 – 0
Nembe City v
Nasarawa United (Samson Siasia Stadium)
Both
teams appear to have lost that early season zest that saw them stay among the
top six at some point this term. Nasarawa United head coach, Alphonsus Dike has
often employed the odd tactic in road trips opting for a lone striker and I
expect him to do same for this game.
If
John Aranka sets up his team in an attacking mode, then I expect at least a
two-goal win as Nasarawa United will also be leggy from playing in the Cup in
mid-week.
My
prediction: 3 – 1
•The
Predictor racked up seven correct results including two exact scores on
Matchday 22.
No comments:
Post a Comment