NPFL Matchday 13 Peview: Pillars looking to bounce back News

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NPFL Matchday 13 Peview: Pillars looking to bounce back

By Daily Sports on April 24, 2016

Kano Pillars Vs Shooting Stars

Kano Pillars hope to bounce back from their disappointing 1-0 loss to Rivers United when they host Shooting Stars at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

The home team have picked up 18 points from 11 matches, while the visitors have accumulated a total of 15 points and have played a game more than the hosts.

With Gambo Mohammed already ruled out of the fixture, coach Ganaru will be hoping that Omo Johnson, Aggrey Prince and Adamu Mohammed can gel into an attacking combination to get a result against the Oluyole Warriors.

Shooting Stars, on the other hand, haven't been consistent season thus far: their defence has been porous and had been breached on fifteen occasions; and they always seem to crumble in away matches.

Currently sitting in 13th place in the league, Kadiri Ikhana's team won 2-1 in their last league fixture against Heartland FC.

Prior to the game this weekend at the Sani Abacha Stadium the two sides have faced each other in 12 league encounters since 18th June 2005.

Pillars have a slight advantage having won six matches to the Oluyole Warriors' five. Masu Gida have also outscored Shooting Stars by 15 goals to 10.

In the corresponding fixture last season, Pillars walked away victorious.

The weekend's game promises to be an exciting one as both teams will give it their all to pick up three points.

El-Kanemi Warriors Vs Ikorodu United

Ikorodu United have not been impressive in their debut season in the top flight and will have a tough nut to crack in El-Kanemi Warriors at the El-Kanemi Stadium.

Warriors won their last home match 2-0 against Shooting Stars, with Ikorodu United also humbled 2-0 by Niger Tornadoes.

However, the hosts will do well to be wary of the Oga Boys, who are searching for their second win are capable of playing a fast-paced counter attack style that might be difficult for the them.

The two sides haven't met in any competitive match in their history.

Lobi Stars Vs Niger Tornadoes

Lobi Stars will look to win their second game in a row when they host Niger Tornadoes in a week thirteen fixture at the Aper Aku Stadium on Sunday.

So far in the 2016 NPFL campaign Lobi Stars have won five, drawn three and lost four matches, a record that will boost their confidence ahead of this weekend's fixture.

Niger Tornadoes on the other hand are yet to win a game on the road. They have lost all their six away matches on their return to the top flight.

The head-to head-statistics of the two sides looks tight since 23 March 2005. Lobi Stars have won five, drawn five and lost four games, while Niger Tornadoes have won four, lost five and drawn matches.

When the two sides last clashed in 2009, Niger Tornadoes won 2-0 at the Bako Kontagora Stadium.

Wikki Tourists Vs FC Ifeanyi Ubah

Wikki Tourists will host FC Ifeanyi Ubah on Sunday afternoon at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in an interesting clash that sees the two sides meeting for only the fifth time in an official league match.

According to statistics one should expect at least two goals in the match because eight goals have been scored in the four league encounters.

Wikki Tourists currently sit in ninth place on the NPFL log on 16 points whereas FC Ifeanyi Ubah sit seven places higher in second place on 22 points.

The visitors' confidence will be high coming into this game following their 1-0 win over Warri Wolves in their last league outing.

Abdul Maikaba's charges are favourites to win this one at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi.

Abia Warriors Vs MFM FC

Ahead of Abia Warriors' league tie against MFM FC on Sunday, pundits believe that the home side will win the game in Umuahia.

Playing against the Olukoya Boys won't be an easy game and that Kennedy Boboye's men will be under pressure to keep up their current run of form that has seen them win five, drawn five and lost only one game in the 2016 season.

Abia Warriors go into the game third in the NPFL standings, two points off a CAF Champions League qualifying spot, while MFM are fifth with 19 points.

The hosts will be able to overcome the challenge posed by MFM FC because they are starting to show consistency and that the results will inevitably follow.

Warriors take on MFM at the Umuahia Township Stadium at 4pm on Sunday afternoon.

Heartland Vs Sunshine Stars

Sunshine Stars will look to extend their six-match unbeaten run in the NPFL when they visit Heartland FC at the Dan Anyiam Stadium on Sunday.

Stars won 3-0 at home to Elkanemi Warriors on 17th April, extending their unbeaten streak to six league matches.

The Owena Waves are placed 13th on the log with 14 points from 11 matches.

Heartland suffered their fifth defeat of the season against Shooting Stars last weekend in Ibadan.

The teams last met in the 2015 season, with Sunshine Stars winning 3-0 in Owerri before the return game ended in a 0-0 draw.

The teams have played two draws in their last five league meetings

Plateau United Vs Rivers United

Plateau United will be aiming to get back to winning ways when they host Rivers United at the Rwang Pam Stadium on Sunday.

The Jos outfit failed to win in their last league fixture, suffering a 2-1 defeat to Nasarawa United.

Zachary Baraje's side are 17th in the standings after 12 games, but have a chance to move up with a victory.

They edged Kano Pillars 1-0 in their previous league fixture and will be eager to get a positive result and lift themselves up on the log.

Akwa United Vs Enyimba FC

Akwa United and Enyimba FC will both be looking to bounce back from disappointing defeats in their last league outings when they clash at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Promise Keepers have scored a total of seventeen goals this season, while the People's Elephants have managed just seven goals.

United lost their last league match 1-0 against Lobi Stars – a result which saw them drop to 6th place, nine points above Enyimba, who have five games in hand.

Enyimba have been poor on their travels in this campaign, as they sit in 19th place with nine points – 15 points behind leaders Enugu Rangers.

They can take solace in their qualification to the group stage of the 2016 CAF Champions League at the expense of highly fancied Etoile Sportive du Sahel in midweek.

Akwa United and Enyimba have met in 14 League matches since 2007, with the People's Elephants winning five and losing four – the last of those coming on 17th September 2014 at the Uyo Township Stadium.

•Culled from goal.com.

Source Daily Sports

Posted April 24, 2016