I'll also have my eyes fixed on matches in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Aba and Enugu.
The Akwa United versus Lobi Stars match is live on SuperSport 9 this Sunday (5pm CAT).
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Dolphins v Bayelsa United (Liberation Stadium)
Bayelsa United are still waiting for a first league win against Dolphins in seven years. The Pride of Rivers, as Dolphins are called, have not lost to Bayelsa United in their last four head-to-head meetings.
I don't expect Stanley Eguma's men to lose this contest as they play hosts to Bayelsa United who have the league's joint leading scorer in Peter Ebimobowei. Dolphins do have their work cut out but I'll bet on them winning this.
My prediction: 2-0
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Kano Pillars v El-Kanemi Warriors (Ahmadu Bello Stadium)
Defending champions, Kano Pillars, will still be without Gambo Mohammed, Kabiru Umar, Ado Ali and Nafizi Ammani who are all out injured. Despite the absence of key players, Sai Masu Gida have soldiered on and will now face El-Kanemi in another northern derby.
El-Kanemi head coach, Salisu Yusuf, will warm his palms in wait to face his former club and also hope his men give him a good result after they shared points at home against another of his former team, Enyimba on Wednesday. I'm expecting Kano Pillars to win by same margin as they did last season in this same fixture.
My prediction: 2-0
Sunshine Stars v Nasarawa United (Akure Township Stadium)
I'm sure gaffer of High-flying Nasarawa United, Baba Ganaru, will set up his side to hit Sunshine Stars on the break in this tie. Sunshine Stars have been able to take 14 points at home this season and have dropped only four points but their last three league matches have ended without a win.
Sunshine Stars won't have one of their trusted defenders, Kunle Odunlami for this clash as he is expected to make the trip to London as Nigeria open their World Cup camp. I don't think Odunlami's absence should affect the Akure Gunners who will win but not by a three-nil scoreline of last season in this same match.
My prediction: 2-1
Enyimba v Nembe City (Enyimba Stadium)
I really think Enyimba now have a chance of using this game to close the gap on the leaders, Sharks, who they trail by seven points. No disrespect to bottom-placed City who are smarting from their third win of the season. I do feel sorry for City as they meet Enyimba at a time they've kept three consecutive clean sheets in their last three home matches.
The problem with Enyimba is that they are yet to get in the goal-scoring act so I don't expect City to clobbered in Aba this Sunday.
My prediction: 2-0
Warri Wolves v Sharks (Warri City Stadium)
This is my pick of the match day as table-topping Sharks go up against fifth-placed Wolves who will be without Azubuike Egwuekwe. But Sharks will be with a full strength squad for this big clash.
The Blue Angels have struggled in their last six trips to Warri losing all of those six matches including a 1-4 defeat in May 2012. Coincidentally it is another month of May and Sharks will travel to Warri and with an eight-match unbeaten run that I expect them to keep going.
My prediction: 0-0
Akwa United v Lobi Stars (Uyo Township Stadium)
The Promise Keepers have suffered a blip in recent matches and have now gone two successive matches without a win. They've also won just once in three home matches but that shouldn't work against them when they face Lobi.
The away form of Lobi should give Patrick Udoh's men a mental advantage as the Makurdi side are one of the four clubs without a point in their travels this season. I expect Akwa United to get back to winning ways.
My prediction: 2-1
FC Taraba v Heartland (Jolly Nyame Stadium)
Heartland have travelled up north twice this term and have taken two points at Kaduna United and Kano Pillars. I believe they will be spurred on by those results as they're just one place above the drop zone while FC Taraba are in 10th position going into this clash.
FC Taraba striker, Tochukwu Esom will surely relish facing his former team and it will be same for Ndubuisi Nduka who will set up his team against Heartland he once managed. I think Heartland can come clean with another point from their third trip to the north.
My prediction: 1-1
Abia Warriors v Crown FC (Umuahia Township Stadium)
Two of the four newly-promoted teams go head-to-head in their first-ever meeting in the premier division. Warriors have found back their early season form and have now gone unbeaten in their last three league matches and that should be a source of concern for Crown FC head coach, Lawrence Akpokona.
Ladan Bosso has been able to gather some of the league's big names at Abia Warriors like Bishop Onyeudo, Cletus Itodo and Osas Idehen. Crown are yet to win an away point or score an away goal this season. I wonder how they'll hold off Warriors.
My prediction: 2-0
Giwa FC v Kaduna United (Rwang Pam Stadium)
Kaduna United are still in search of their first point on the road since 2012 and Jos, home to Giwa FC, hasn't been a happy hunting ground for away teams in recent weeks. Giwa have won their three last home matches and are gradually making Jos a fortress.
The Crocodiles have failed to score in six away matches going into this match against Giwa FC and I don't know where Kaduna United will get their first away goal of this season from. I'll go for Giwa to edge this.
My prediction: 1-0
Enugu Rangers v Gombe United (Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium)
This is a bottom-four clash and I'm wondering what will be running through the minds of Rangers and Gombe Utd fans seeing their team in the drop zone. Gombe United have only taken a point off Rangers in nine of their last travels to Enugu since the Premier League era started in 2003.
Already Gombe United have began planning life without their first-choice goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim after Segun Fatunwase started in the 1-1 draw against Sunshine Stars in mid-week.
Rangers will also be without Ejike Uzoenyi, who is expected to travel to London alongside Agbim, Odunlami, Egwuekwe and Daniel Akpeyi for the Super Eagles build-up to the World Cup, shouldn't affect the Flying Antelopes for this game.
My prediction: 1-0
•The Predictor came up four correct results without no perfect score in the immediate past match day.
No comments:
Post a Comment