Wikki Tourists Vs Rivers United
One of the tough games will see Wikki Tourists up against Rivers United in Bauchi. The first leg ended 1-0 in favour of the Pride of Rivers, and it will be a chance for the MA Boys to take a revenge on the Port Harcourt side. Wikki Tourists in the last five games have won one and lost three, leaving them at disadvantage going to Sunday's game. Rivers United on the other hand have won three out of their last five games, losing just two. The hosts will bank on the attacking prowess of Godwin Obaje, Alhassan Ibrahim and Abubakar Lawal to give them the much needed three points in front of thousands of fans that will be in attendance at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium.
Darling team of the Garden City, Rivers United will be putting their faith on the likes of Ovoke Benard, Guy Kuemian and Chinonso Okonkwo to do them the magic, as they seek to win the title. Placed on fourth position on the league log, Wikki Tourists, led by Coach Abdu Maikaba will do all they can to increase their 51 points.
Kano Pillars Vs El-Kanemi Warriors
Kano Pillars will be looking to restore some pride when they host El-Kanemi Warriors in the week 36 of the Nigeria Professional Football League on Sunday. Following their scandalous 4-1 loss at the MKO Abiola Stadium against Ikorodu United, Pillars will be out to appease their fans at the Sani Abacha Stadium. Warriors want to end the campaign in a respectable position, they will be aiming to be on the winning side and close the gap in terms of the head-to-head record.
In 11 league matches since 2005, Pillars have won six matches compared to five for El-Kanemi Warriors. When the teams met earlier this season, Warriors prevailed 2-0.
Enugu Rangers Vs Sunshine Stars
It will be a game of nostalgia and welcoming returns as Enugu Rangers host Sunshine Stars in the league this weekend. Sunshine Stars striker Meshack Chukwubuikem had a productive time at Rangers and will be facing his former side. Things such as sentiment and mutual respect will no doubt be evident before the game; however fans can expect a feisty affair once the whistle is blown. Rangers head into the tie on the back of a loss to Shooting Stars at the Lekan Salami Stadium.
With four points from a possible 12 in their last handful of fixtures, a win against Rangers could take them back into the top four. The game between the two have always produced goals and currently, both team's strikers have been in good scoring form as of late. Chisom Egbuchulam and Godwin Aguda will be seen as the Rangers attacking outlets and it could come down to which defenders will have enough steel to keep these two at bay.
Abia Warriors Vs Nasarawa United
Abdullahi Biffo managed Abia Warriors and Kabiru Dogo tutored Nasarawa United will lock horns on, with both sides desperate for a win for contrasting reasons. Nasarawa United still hold slim continental hopes after downing Wikki Tourists 2-1 thanks to a last-gasp winner from Aminu Abdulkadir, while Abia Warriors are fighting for survival after their 1-1 draw at home to FC Ifeanyi Ubah in a rescheduled match on Wednesday, 7 September 2016. A draw will not help either side attain their goals, which should mean the game will be an intriguing affair as both sides go for all three points at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
This will be the sixth time the two sides will clash in the NPFL. The reverse fixture this term ended in an entertaining 3-2 in favour of the Solid Miners at the Aper Aku Stadium this year.
Lobi Stars Vs FC Ifeanyi Ubah
Godwin Koko Uwua's Lobi Stars are expected to have their confidence soared as they go into their clash with FC Ifeanyi Ubah in Makurdi on Sunday. Stars are pushing for a top-three finish that would guarantee continental football and the feelings among the faithful of the club is on a high. The Pride of Benue are on 49 points, which is four points off the third position but are not giving up on their continental dream despite their remote chances of achieving the goal.
Fans at the Aper Aku Stadium will be looking forward to the form of striker Nanem Imenger. But if the forward fails to come to the party, they can count of Anthony Okpotu and a host of other match winners in their fold. FC Ifeanyi Ubah like their hosts, are also counting on a good chance to get a continental ticket and the Nnewi-based club are expected to push for a good result which in anyway will shatter the hopes of the Stars.
Ismail Gata, Seka Pascal and Chijioke Alakwe will shoulder the responsibilty of the Anambra Warriors' hope of returning to their base with their heads high.
Warri Wolves Vs Shooting Stars
Mansur Abdullahi and his charges at Warri Wolves are expected to make good use of home support as they battle Shooting Stars at the Warri City Stadium. The Seasiders have been in patchy form in the 2016 campaign, but they understand that dropping points at home against the Oluyole Warriors could be suicidal. They would be counting on their supportive fans to ginger them to victory on match day.
In Kelvin Itoya, they have an attacking beast that may prove handful to the Stars' defence if he hits his stride. Shooting Stars on their part understand that they face a difficult assignment, as the game is a sort of relegation battle. The visitors still need at least three more points to be sure of safety. A team with the quartet of Ajani Ibrahim, Ifegwu Ojukwu, Sunday Adetunji and Ebitimi Agogu is one to be dreaded.
Gbenga Ogunbote's wards could count on the occasional frailties of their hosts.
Plateau United Vs Ikorodu United
As far as Ikorodu United's fortunes are concerned, they have plenty of confidence and manpower for Sunday's clash with Plateau United at the Rwang Pam Stadium. Having subdued Enyimba's formidable attacking unit in their 3-2 victory at MKO Abiola Stadium on Wednesday, relegated Oga Boys are chasing their fourth straight win at the trot. This is a far happier situation than normal for coach Theodore de Jong side, but another classic looks to be on the horizon only if they can keep their concentration throughout.
"It was nice to get a home win for the fans on Wednesday, but looking at how Plateau United have been playing, where they are sitting on the log and the fact they also have home advantage for this match, it is a very tough encounter." "We believe we have become a harder team to beat and there's plenty of confidence in the squad from the last three results.
"If we get another good result it will indicate we are definitely going to end the campaign on a high."
