The Match Day 11 of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League has thrown up some exciting fixtures with table topper, Lobi Stars looking to hold on tight as they face a tough side in Bendel Insurance. In the same vein, newly appointed coach, Kennedy Boboye will face a herculean task in Ibadan where he is hoping to lead Heartland their first victory of the season against 3SC. It will require a miracle for the ‘Nazi millionaire’ to avoid defeat in the hands of the ‘Oluyole Warriors’ who have their eyes on the top spot, if Lobi Stars falter in Benin City against Bendel Insurance.
Trust Sports, therefore, previews the matches that will be played across various centers this weekend.
Doma Utd vs Niger Tornadoes
At the Pantami Stadium, third placed Doma United will trade tackles with 17th placed Niger Tornadoes.
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The ‘Savannah Tigers’ as Doma United are known have been in an excellent form all season as they remain undefeated in their last six games. They have also successfully kept a clean sheet in their last six matches. The host haven’t also lost any of their last eight home matches and this will be an advantage going into the game against a side that has lost their last seven away matches.
Both sides have met twice in their history as far as the NPFL is concerned with a win a piece for each side. Tornadoes who are neck-deep in relegation must avoid defeat to keep their hope of survival alive.
Enyimba vs Sunshine Stars
This is a blockbuster clash that will take place at the Aba Township Stadium.
The defending champions are currently placed 5th on the table and a win against the ‘Akure gunners’ can increase their chances of defending their title.
Enyimba have been the more successful side having maintained an unbeaten streak in their last five encounters. But that record can be destroyed as Sunshine Stars haven’t lost any of their last two away matches.
According to statistics, the ‘Aba Warriors’ have won four matches and drawn one against the stars from Ondo State.
Bendel Insurance vs Lobi Stars
Bendel Insurance have had a mixed season so far and they face a tough clash against the table toppers, Lobi Stars at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin City
The visitors have had the upper hand in their last five games against their hosts. They have won two games, drawn two while losing 1 which occurred in 2019. Bendel Insurance haven’t lost any of their last seven home matches and that is how formidable and impenetrable they are at home. Lobi Stars who are playing good football at the moment are highly favoured to get a good result in Benin City.
Sporting Lagos vs Katsina Utd
At the start of the season, the debutants took a few clubs by surprise because many clubs were yet to understand their tactics. However, as the season progresses, other clubs have studied them and are beginning to exploit their weakness for favourable results. The former table toppers have now dropped to 14th position after losing four games, all away.
However, Sporting Lagos haven’t lost any of their last 5 home matches and this could stand in their favour when they host Katsina United who are undefeated in their last 3 games at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. The visitors who are 12th on the table may leave Lagos with at least a point.
Akwa Utd vs Kwara Utd
At the Eket Sports stadium, relegation-threatened Akwa United will host 9th placed Kwara United in a must-win match.
The hosts have only won two matches so far and they face a side which is undefeated in their last three matches. However, the hosts will attempt to leverage on their home record as they haven’t lost any of their last 7 home matches.
The last five clashes between the duo have been even as each side have won two games apiece and drawn one. The head coach of Akwa United Fatai Osho is demanding his players take chances and revive their dwindling season.
“To get back on track, we need to start taking our chances,” he said.
Bayelsa Utd vs Abia Warriors
Former Federation Cup champions, Bayelsa United will trade tackles with Abia Warriors at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
The relegation-threatened side have a glimmer of hope of securing a win as they remain undefeated in their last three matches and face a side that have lost their last seven away matches.
But this hope will be put to test as Abia Warriors have a better head-to-head record in their last five games. The visitors have won three matches as against two won by their hosts.
Just as Abia Warriors face on-field woes, they equally have off-field battles to face after the NPFL fined the club N3 million for various acts of misconduct that occurred during the match against Enugu Rangers in the feisty ‘Oriental derby’ last weekend. They were reprimanded for restricting NPFL broadcast partners from recording pre-match content and harassing the official broadcast partner’s media crew.
Gombe Utd vs Kano Pillars
One of Nigeria’s most successful and biggest side, Kano Pillars will take a trip to Gombe as they face Gombe United at the Pantami Stadium.
The visitors who are placed 13th on the table have a poor head-to-head record against their hosts. In the last five games, Kano Pillars have only managed a win which was in March 2022. Pillars losing streak may continue as they have lost their last seven away matches in the current season.
Remo Stars vs Plateau Utd
Remo Stars stadium in Ikenne will host the clash between Remo Stars and Plateau United.
The hosts who are second on the table and have not lost any of their last eight home matches will seek to overtake Lobi Stars by defeating a Plateau United side who have been poor on the road. Plateau United have lost their last five away matches.
Remo Stars who recorded a stunning 1-0 victory against title holders Enyimba in Aba in a rescheduled fixture on Wednesday became the first team to win two away matches this season. The win has moved the Daniel Ogunmodede’s side to second position on the table with 19 points from 10 games.
Shooting Stars vs Heartland
Shooting Stars will welcome winless Heartland FC to the Adamasingba Stadium, Ibadan. The hosts who haven’t lost any of their last seven home matches have a good chance of taking all maximum points against the only team in the league yet to win a single game this season.
The arrival of experienced coach, Kennedy Boboye, two weeks ago didn’t start well as he lost his first game to Enyimba.
Heartland’s losing record has caused a rift between the coaching staff and the club’s management.
Since their return to the top-flight, the ‘Nazi millionaires’ have drawn six matches and lost four, resulting in six points out of a possible 30 points in 10 matches.
Meanwhile, the game between Enugu Rangers and Rivers Utd has been postponed due to the latter’s continental engagement.
However, the trio of Remo Stars, Doma United and 3SC will be targeting victories this weekend to dislodge Lobi Stars from the top of the table. Therefore, the ‘Pride of Benue’ must avoid defeat at Bendel Insurance to stand any chance of maintaining their top position.
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