By Osaro Matthew
Matches will be played across four centres in the Nigeria Premier Football League on Saturday, December 2nd. With Enugu Rangers vs Rivers United postponed due to the latter’s involvement in the continent, the remaining five matches will be for Sunday, December 3rd at 4pm.
Osaro Matthew previews the 9 games in the NPFL this weekend on platinumnewsng.com.
Bendel Insurance v Lobi Stars – Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium – 4pm
8th placed Bendel Insurance will host league leaders, Lobi Stars at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. Lobi Stars who sits top of the table with 20 points, will be hoping for their second away win of the season. Bendel Insurance on the other hand has had a bad patch but remain six points adrift of lobi stars. The Benin Arsenal are winless in their last five games, amassing four points out of a possible 18. The battle promises to be intense as the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is a fortress for the Benin Based side.
Enyimba v Sunshine Stars – Enyimba Stadium – 4pm
Finidi George’s Enyimba was left in shock as Enyimba suffered a home defeat to Remo Stars on Wednesday November 29 in a rescheduled game. Prior to then, the last time Enyimba lost a home game was 505 days ago, losing 2-0 to Dakkada. The defending champions who found it hard to break Remo’s low block will host another South West team, 11th placed Sunshine Stars at the Enyimba International stadium.
Akwa United v Kwara United – Eket Stadium – 4pm
18th placed Akwa United has had a tough start to the season and will host Kwara United at the Eket Stadium in a must win encounter for the home side if they want to leave the relegation zone. This will be a daunting task for Fatai Osho’s side who have picked only 10 points from 10 games.
Doma United v Niger Tornadoes – Pantami Stadium – 4pm
Underdogs Doma United will on Saturday host Niger Tornadoes who are placed 17th on the log. Akinade Onigbinde’s side has taken the league by a storm as they currently sit 3rd on the log. For Doma United, they have never lost a game at the Pantami stadium, since their promotion to the top flight. Niger Tornadoes on the other hand have not recorded an away victory since March 25, 2023.
With an array of exciting games lined up on Sunday, we are set to witness a spectacle.
Sporting Lagos v Katsina United – Onikan Stadium – 4pm
New boys, Sporting Lagos will host Katsina United at the Onikan Stadium on a Sunday with Sporting. Katsina United placed 12th are two places above the Lagos based side on the table with a point. The Noisy Lagosians have not won any of their past three NPFL games. While they started the season in great fashion, recent results have seen them drop from the top three and edge closer to the bottom four.
Shooting Stars v Heartland – Lekan Salami – 4pm
Gbenga Ogunbote’s Shooting Stars are 4th on the log with an impressive start to the season. 3SC of Ibadan will lock horns with Heartland FC who are without a win this season at the Lekan Salami Stadium. This seems to be the most easily predictable game of the weekend as Heratland under Kennedy Boboye are not favourites, even to pick up a draw.
Bayelsa United v Abia Warriors – Samson Siasia Stadium – 4pm
The Prosperity Boys have not prospered this season with Bayelsa United occupying the 19th position. The Yenagoa based team will have to work their way up the table as they welcome Abia Warriors who are 7th on the log. Anything short of a victory keeps them in the relegation zone.
Remo Stars v Plateau United – Remo Stars Stadium – 4pm
Plateau United faces a uphill task as they visit Remo Stars who have had a fine start to the season with six wins, joint highest with league leaders Lobi Stars. The Changi Boys will have to do the impossible to stop the Sky Blue Stars. Currently, Remo Stars is 2nd on the NPFL log with 19 points, while Plateau United is 10th position with 13 points. Remo Stars pulled off a big win when they pipped Enyimba 1-0 away from home, and that could be enough morale booster for the hosts to get the maximum points, off Plateau Utd.
Gombe United v Kano Pillars – Pantami Stadium – 4pm
Gombe United host the Sai Masu Gida boys, Kano pilars in a clash wich promises to be interesting. Kano Pillars failed to get maximum points last weekend at home when they played Insurance. Gombe United have won only one of their last five games. they will be hoping to upturn this poor start to the season.