NPFL Week 20 Preview News - Daily Sports Nigeria

Navigation: Home / News / NPL Glo Premier League / NPFL Week 20 Preview

NPFL Week 20 Preview

By Daily Sports on June 5, 2016

Rivers United Vs Lobi Stars

Rivers United will be looking to continue their solid performance in the match day 20 of the Nigeria Professional Football League season when they host Lobi Stars at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium on Sunday.

United fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Pride of Benue in their last home outing, but Stanley Eguma's men will be buoyed by their good home record which has seen them climb to second on the log.

Three points against the Makurdi-based side could see the Garden City outfit climb to the top of the table. They will be having the full complements of their squad

Lobi Stars, meanwhile, will be looking to start the second stanza on a positive footing. Their title aspiration still looks intact as they are three points below leaders Wikki Tourists

Godwin Uwua will welcome back Anthony Okpotu to the starting XI, while match day 19 scorer Sunday Akleche will keep his place in the team.

Both sides will lock horns at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium on Sunday. Kickoff is 4pm.

Niger Tornadoes Vs FC Ifeanyi Ubah

Big spenders FC Ifeanyi Ubah could move into the top 10 if they snatch all three points from Niger Tornadoes at the Confluence Stadium on Sunday.

The Anambra Warriors have had an inconsistent run under manager Mitko Dobrev this season, but bounced back after two winless games to secure a convincing 2-0 win over Tornadoes in their week 19 game.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah have been boosted by the arrival of Wale Doyeni and Ismail Gata in the ongoing NPFL transfer window.

Gata has promised to haunt his former employers in the game.

Tornadoes, who have the chance to leapfrog their opponents on Sunday, have a slight advantage due to the massive support that they get in the ancient city of Lokoja.

The void left by Gata has been filled with the signing of former Enugu Rangers star Stephen Adah.

The Ikon Allah Boys are unbeaten on home soil in the 2016 league campaign.

El-Kanemi Warriors Vs Warri Wolves

El-Kanemi Warriors will look to build upon their impressive 2-0 win against Enugu Rangers when they take on Warri Wolves on Sunday.

Wolves had an average first stanza by their usual standard and already find themselves six points off leaders Wikki Tourists.

However, their form has improved in recent weeks, three wins and two defeats.

The two sides are expected to unleash their new arrivals to the game scheduled to take place at the Elkanemi Stadium.

Warriors sit 14th in the table with 22 points while Wolves are 12th on 25 points.

Kano Pillars Vs Plateau United

Kano Pillars go into Sunday's match against Plateau United looking to keep up the pressure on Wikki Tourists and Rivers United in the league.

Pillars currently sit fourth in the table but could move top with a win, depending on the result of other matches.

Baba Ganaru's side grabbed a morale boosting draw in their last league game against Plateau United.

Gambo Mohammed is expected to play up front for the hosts, while Jamiu Alimi is doubtful.

Plateau United, meanwhile, have drawn their last six matches and now sit in the relegation zone with 20 points.

The visitors will be having the full complements of their squad as they look to pull off a major shock at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

Nasarawa United Vs Enyimba FC

Enyimba switch their focus to the Aper Aku Stadium this weekend when they take on Nasarawa United.

The People's Elephants had a strong run in the Nigeria Professional Football League by going eight consecutive games unbeaten, but they stumbled to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Wikki Tourists during the week.

Another loss isn't on the radar of the visitors.

Kabiru Dogo's Solid Miners side have the advantage of being at home when they try to get back on track after losing 1-0 to Enyimba in their last league action.

The hosts can grab their eighth victory of the season if they defeat Enyimba this weekend.

Abdulrahman Bashir and Tayo Fabiyi are likely to start in attack for Nasarawa United, while Mfon Udoh and Christian Pyagbara should be used as forward threats for Enyimba FC.

Sunshine Stars Vs Abia Warriors

Some have suggested that this Sunday's encounter is between the two clubs likely to challenge for the League title this season - Sunshine Stars and Abia Warriors.

Despite their prospects for the campaign, some pundits have played down the importance of the contest at Akure Township Stadium this early in the season.

However, with no point between them in the league table, either side can put pressure on leaders Wikki Tourists if they grab all three points this weekend.

Despite both clubs being tipped to challenge for the title, neither side has dominated the league from their first 18 matches of the campaign.

Solomon Ogbeide's men can grab their third-straight win in the league if they defeat Warriors on home turf, while Kennedy Boboye could guide his side to top five with three points.

This fixture last season produced just one goal at the Akure Township Stadium, with Stars winning 1-0.

Ikorodu United Vs Wikki Tourists

According to the die hard fans of Ikorodu United, this Sunday marks the beginning of a new dawn when their darling team welcome Wikki Tourists to the Onikan Stadium.

The home side had a dismal first stanza. After 18 matches, they have picked a paltry 13 points, leaving them at the bottom of the league table.

Since the appointment of Sam Okpodu as the head coach of the side, their fortunes have improved.

The home team have recruited heavily for the home stretch of the league season, with former Enyimba and Delta Force playmaker Michael Okoyoh joining them for the rest of the campaign.

Wikki Tourists have had an excellent term in the league having secured nine wins, five defeats and four draws in their first 18 fixtures, placing them first in the table.

The Bauchi-based outfit are in high spirit, after their impressive annihilation of Enyimba on Wednesday.

Abdul Maikaba will be relying on Godwin Obaje, Mohammed Idris and Mubarak Umar to destroy the Oga Boys in the match day 20 clash.

Heartland FC Vs Enugu Rangers

Heartland FC are back at the Dan Anyiam Stadium this weekend as they host Enugu Rangers in the Oriental Derby.

It doesn't get any easier for United who are in desperate need of victory.

Unfortunately for the away team, they have been in patchy form in recent times.

The Naze Millionaires do have a decent record against Rangers though. In their last nineteen meetings, Heartland have won ten, draw three and lost six to their Oriental Brothers.

Early on, Rangers looked like pacesetters. They have won just once in their last five matches, and are fifth on the league ladder.

How can the disparity be explained? A quick look at the fixture list shows their last victory was against Ikorodu United.

For Heartland, Chinedu Efugh will be in the starting eleven. Julius Ubido is available for selection.

Shooting Stars Vs Akwa United

Gbenga Ogunbote's second stint as the head coach of Shooting Stars starts with a tough fixture against Akwa United at the Lekan Salami Stadium on Sunday.

Shooting Stars have 17 points in 17th place, while Akwa United have 27 points and occupies the 8th spot.

•Text from goal.com.

Source Daily Sports

Posted June 5, 2016