Log-leaders, Plateau United are out of weekend's
action, and the top-of-the-table clash in Lagos will
see the winner assume topflight power
MFM FC Vs El Kanemi Warriors
Top spot will be on offer when MFM welcome El
Kanemi Warriors to the Agege Stadium in Week 18
of the Nigeria Professional Football League on
Sunday.
The two teams have met twice in the past and were
fair to each other with one win apiece.
MFM, surprisingly, crashed 4-0 at Nasarawa United
last weekend, while El Kanemi pipped Kano Pillars
1-0 in the Northern derby.
The onus is on the Olukoya Boys to lift the day as
they have been flying high at home but if the Desert
Warriors can put more determination, and ensure
their defence is bereft of any Chukwuka Onuwa,
Sikiru Olatunbosun and Stephen Odey’s penetration
they will surely avoid a defeat in this fixture.
Log-leaders, Plateau United are not involved in
Matchday 18 action so the winner from this tie
moves to the summit, but with the Peace Boys two-
game less, the lead could be momentary.
ABS FC Vs Nasarawa United
ABS FC are in danger of going into the relegation
zone as four points separate them from 17th placed
Wikki Tourist. They have already lost seven of their
17 games and managed just six wins and four
draws.
The Solid Miners are unbeaten in their last five
games, a feat that has seen them zoom to seventh
on the log. They won three and drew two in the
process.
ABS are a side in desperate search of a win after a
six-match winless run and the pressure is equally
mounting on both the coaches and players.
Sunshine Stars Vs Remo Stars
From a continental team to a relegation battling
outfit, such is the story of Sunshine Stars. They
have picked up 18 points and are languishing in the
drop zone.
Remo Stars are waxing stronger with a four-match
unbeaten run. And they currently occupy the 14th
position.
And the questions to ask heading into the encounter
are: Having performed woefully so far, are Sunshine
Stars ready to make the step up against Remo
Stars?
Having threatened to do so in Ibadan and Enugu,
will Remo finally pick their first away victory of the
season?
Truth be told, both teams want a win from this
encounter and for different reasons.
Kano Pillars Vs Akwa United
After a good few months, are the cracks starting to
show for Kano Pillars? They have won just one
game in the past five weeks and are struggling for
consistency as they slowly slip down the table.
However it will only take a couple of wins to get
into the top three as they have 24 points and
there’s the feeling that the visit of Akwa United
offers a great chance to claim all three points.
What has been least impressive about Akwa United
is their form away from home. They concede goals,
aplenty, too.
Abdu Maikaba and his men now have an unenviable
task of battling not only Kadiri Ikhana’s side but the
enthusiastic fans set to fill every part of the Sani
Abacha Stadium on Sunday.
Shooting Stars Vs Niger Tornadoes
Shooting Stars will play host to Niger Tornadoes
with both teams needing all three points. The
Oluyole Warriors are 15th and lost 4-2 to Akwa
United in Week 17.
Niger Tornadoes have done very well surpassing
expectations by occupying the fourth place. But it is
their consistency that has been the real surprise, the
club have lost just twice in the last five games.
The Oluyole Warriors have improved at home and
the Ikon Allah Boys present them their latest test.
Rivers United Vs Abia Warriors
Rivers United and Abia Warriors will face each other
at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium as they continue
their NPFL campaign.
The Pride of Rivers can draw inspiration from their
2-0 victory over ABS in midweek to revive their
faltering season. They are in 19th position in the
table with 17 points, eight points below their visitors
in fifth position.
Abia Warriors' games in recent weeks have been
better compared to Rivers, they seem to be back on
track. But it appears that Rivers United have
rediscovered their touch.
Wikki Tourist Vs Gombe United
Wikki Tourist's season have been a nightmare. The
past weeks have also been woeful for them. They
haven’t met the fans expectations. They are
currently 17th in the table with 18 points to their
name.
Gombe United have showed a little bit of
consistency in recent times. The last three games
have seen them won two and drawn one.
This could be the match that will awaken Tourist’s
season and a win wouldn't be far fetched.
Katsina United v Enyimba
Another great match up will go down in the NPFL
this weekend as Katsina United welcome Enyimba to
the Mohammodou Dikko Stadium.
Katsina United are currently 16th in the league table
with 19 points. They will be aiming for victory in this
fixture in front of their darling fans. Enyimba are
moving closely to the top teams.
They are sixth in the standings with 25 points, six
points behind leaders, Plateau United. Their 2-1
success over Enugu Rangers gave them a huge
boost.
The People's Elephants may be better in terms of
position on the log, but their poor away form is a
thing of worry. They haven't won on the road and
will be looking to get one past Baldwin Bazuaye’s
side.
Lobi Stars Vs FC IfeanyiUbah
None of the two teams can be satisfied with their
performance in 2017. Although a light could be seen
at the end of the tunnel for the visitors, who showed
fighting spirit to defeat Sunshine Stars 2-1.
For Lobi Stars it was a dull time in office as they
went down 2-1 against Niger Tornadoes on Sunday.
FC IfeanyiUbah's gaffer, Yaw Preko is certainly still
hoping to see his team mount a challenge for the
title at the end of the season. He surely has the
needed quality with one of the best players in the
league Godwin Obaje who scored against the Owena
Whales.
Evans Ogenyi must be worried with his strikers as
they were wasteful in Lokoja. His major concern will
be setting up his players to convert begging
chances.
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