NPFL: Matchday 2 preview and predictions

For the second matchday running, there is an oriental derby to look forward to. This time in Nnewi, it will be a titanic clash between Enugu Rangers and Enyimba of Aba.

Unarguably, it is the biggest fixture of the matchday as hostilities begin across 10 different venues in the country. In another game of interest, Shooting Stars will entertain champions Akwa United at the Lekan Salami Stadium on Sunday.

A North-Central derby, just like we had last weekend, will come up between Plateau United and Kwara United in Jos, while Kano Pillars will host Lobi Stars in Kaduna.

With that being said, here is a look at what to expect this weekend in the NPFL.

Rangers began the season with a win away from home - a feat they only managed to achieve on MD 29 of last campaign. The sort of start new gaffer Abdul Maikaba would be proud of and up next is Finidi George's Enyimba.

By all standards, this is an elite game in the NPFL. A game involving two former champions, who won the league in the past decade, will always be a crunchy fixture to look forward to by all means.

The home side has won the past three home meetings and their mettle will be tested by the Aba Elephants who are on a run of five consecutive wins in all competitions since the end of last season.

Prediction: Enugu Rangers 1-1 Enyimba

The Oluyole Warriors will play a top-flight match in front of their vociferous home support for the first time since 2017. With a point in the kitty, Shooting Stars will be keen to consolidate on that when they host champions Akwa United.

During his last visit to Ibadan, Akwa United gaffer Kennedy Boboye while at Plateau United picked a point at the Lekan Salami Stadium, the venue of Sunday's game. However, Akwa United's record of without having a point and just a goal in their past five visits is a thing to ponder about.

Prediction: Shooting Stars 0-0 Akwa United

This was last season's matchday one fixture in which Kwara United won 2-0 to begin their Cinderella run last term. Things have changed since then for Plateau United with the arrival of Fidelis Ilechukwu in the dugout.

The Peace boys began the season with a loss at Niger Tornadoes, while Kwara United comfortably dispatched Dakkada FC. A result here is very important to Ilechukwu and his boys and are favourites to nick a win.

Prediction: Plateau United 1-0 Kwara United

Remo Stars claimed a two-nil away win at MFM on matchday one, while Heartland played out an entertaining 3-3 draw against Nasarawa United. 

This will be their first-ever meeting in the top-flight. On a cursory look, the home side has a slight advantage over their boxing day visitors and could be a return of six points from two games by the end of the game for Gbenga Ogunbote's side.

Prediction: Remo Stars 2-1 Heartland

Pillars lost 3-0 to Akwa United last Sunday and Lobi Stars dropped points at home to Rivers United. This is a tricky game for the hosts, having lost to the Makurdi side at home in 2019.

However, as Eddy Dombraye tries to find a balance in his new Lobi Stars team, Sai Masu Gida have the edge and should return to winning ways at their adopted home ground in Kaduna on Sunday.

Prediction: Kano Pillars 2-0 Lobi Stars

Free-scoring Nasarawa United will host newly promoted Gombe United in Lafia, while Stanley Eguma's Rivers United and Katsina United will lock horns in Port-Harcourt.

In Bauchi, Wikki Tourists will face off with Niger Tornadoes at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium. Dakkada FC, having lost in Ilorin to Kwara United last time out, will entertain MFM at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

Abia Warriors and Sunshine Stars, in search of their first wins of the season, will do battle in Okigwe.

Enugu Rangers v Enyimba

Remo Stars v Heartland

Wikki Tourists v Niger Tornadoes

Plateau United v Kwara United

Dakkada v MFM

Shooting Stars v Akwa United

Abia Warriors v Sunshine Stars

Rivers United v Katsina United

Kano Pillars v Lobi Stars

Nasarawa United v Gombe United