NPFL matchday 6 preview and predictions

In the South West derby, Shooting Stars and Sunshine Stars will lock horns for the first time since 2017 at the Lekan Salami Stadium while Lafia will be the venue for the clash between Nasarawa United and Lobi Stars on Sunday.

Kwara United and unbeaten Rivers United will face off in one of the biggest games in the matchday in Port-Harcourt as Okigwe comes alive for the Oriental derby.

Meanwhile, goals have not been been forthcoming for some of the biggest scorers in the league yet and this weekend could be a good time to find their scoring boots.

Going forward, let’s examine the top five games on offer this weekend.

This is one of the most feisty derbies in the NPFL. Passionate fans and players do not relent in trying to see their team come out on tops each time they meet.

Shooting Stars, the biggest of the two sides, has been in the lower cadre of Nigerian football, while the Owena Whales have struggled to keep their league status every campaign. Both sides are early bookmakers’ favorites to be relegated at the end of the campaign.

However, a turn of events could see that change. This fixture has always favored the home team winning with the last draw coming in 2012. So, it could be a similar story by the end of Sunday.

Prediction: Shooting Stars 1-0 Sunshine Stars

The four-time league champions currently sit bottom of the log and have been woeful in most of their games this campaign. Their visitors on Sunday, Tornadoes, are also on a bad run of form and the battle for results is quite real for them.

Pillars, without coach Salisu Yusuf who is now with the Super Eagles at the AFCON, will be seeking a response after last week’s disappointing loss to Sunshine Stars in Ijebu Ode.

More worrying for Pillars is that, they have not scored more than a goal in this fixture in recent years and with just two wins in the past five they have hosted.

Nevertheless, Sai Masu Gida have a better squad and should win this particular game in Kaduna.

Prediction: Kano Pillars 2-0 Niger Tornadoes

A game of utmost significance on the NPFL log this weekend; it is second v fifth in Port-Harcourt on Sunday. Stanley Eguma’s RIvers United are still unbeaten in the league after five rounds of games, while Kwara United have lost only a game so far.

Last season’s meeting in PH saw United demolish the Harmony boys 3-0 before picking a draw in Ilorin in the second half of the season. Kwara United have continued their Cinderella run this season and could offer some resistance this time around.

Though, a return of just a goal in their past visits to the Pride of Rivers, puts everything in doubt as sticking with the home side to see out another win becomes a logical move.

Prediction: Rivers United 1-0 Kwara United

The North Central derby is here for the fans once again. Nasarawa United, after losing to Dakkada in Benin, will play host to Lobi Stars at the Lafia City Stadium on Sunday.

The Solid Miners have under-performed slightly this campaign, while Lobi have had mixed results and sit two points ahead of their hosts ahead of this weekend’s clash.

United have won all past six home meetings with the away side scoring just twice during the time.

Eddy Dombraye's men have a daunting task at hand if they are to put an end to that ominous record.

Prediction: Nasarawa United 2-0 Lobi Stars

To wrap up the long list of derbies in the NPFL this weekend, the Oriental derby takes center stage in Okigwe between Abia Warriors and Heartland.

Imama Amapakabo’s warriors lost 2-1 to MFM in Lagos, while Heartland labored to a 1-0 win over Wikki Tourists in Owerri last match day.

Heartland, who are on a run of ten consecutive defeats on the road, will hope to be at their best to beat a side they have only beaten once in 13 past meetings in the topflight.

Prediction: Abia Warriors 2-1 Heartland

Other games include;

Enugu Rangers will be at the FC Ifeanyi Ubah international Stadium to host MFM on Sunday as unbeaten Remo Stars will be guests of Wikki Tourists in Ilorin.

The returning Austin Oladapo will lead Enyimba to face his former side Gombe United in Gombe while Plateau United and Dakkada will face off at the New Jos Stadium on Sunday.

On Saturday, champions Akwa United will seek to return to winning ways when they welcome bad- travelers Katsina United to the Nest of Champions.

Saturday

Akwa United v Katsina United

Sunday

Abia Warriors v Heartland

Gombe United v Enyimba

Enugu Rangers v MFM

Kano Pillars v Niger Tornadoes

Nasarawa United v Lobi Stars

Plateau United v Dakkada FC

Rivers United v Kwara United

Shooting Stars v Sunshine Stars

Wikki Tourists v Remo Stars