By Edet Ikotidem
This weekend, the Nigeria Professional Football League’s (NPFL) matchday 33 matchups will be decided, with exciting action expected across all match venues.
Last week, league leaders Rivers United were defeated by Wikki Tourists by a solitary goal, cutting their lead over Plateau United to seven points. Meanwhile, MFM’s prospects of avoiding relegation were further harmed by a disappointing goalless against fellow relegation contenders Lobi Stars at Ijebu Ode.
This weekend, the matches in Uyo, where Akwa United will face Remo Stars, and Aba, where Enyimba will face Kwara United, will attract a lot of interest.
Here are my top four suggestions:
Enyimba who are still without Finidi George, will face Kwara United in a crucial match that could see the two teams trade places on the NPFL table.
Enyimba is now in sixth place with 48 points, while Kwara United is in fifth place with a point advantage.
It implies that both teams must take the game seriously to preserve their limited chances of playing in Europe next season.
Enyimba have a tiny advantage over the Harmony boys with seven victories over the last 12 years, while Kwara United have six victories.
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Both teams have split the spoils into two occasions.
Since their last meeting with the People’s Elephants, Kwara United has never won a game in Aba.
It’s also worth noting that Kwara United has never scored a goal in Aba in previous meetings.
Kwara United travels to Aba on Saturday with the difficult task of reversing their bad records against Enyimba, especially away from home.
The last time Kwara United earned a point on the road was on April 16th in Bauchi, when they drew 1-1 with Wikki Tourists.
The Afonja Warriors haven’t been able to hit the appropriate note in their away games since then.
They have suffered in the hands of Enugu Rangers, Kano Pillars, Gombe United, and even against relegation battlers Lobi Stars in their last four away outings. In their last four away games, they have lost to Enugu Rangers, Kano Pillars, Gombe United, and even relegation contenders Lobi Stars.
The odds are stacked against Kwara United, as Victor Mbaoma has returned from international duty to give the Peoples Elephants a boost.
On Sunday, Akwa United will host Remo Stars in a hotly contested match in Uyo, similar to the Enyimba-Kwara United match.
Remo Stars, who won last week, will look for another victory in Uyo.
Both teams have only met three times in the league.
Apart from their 2017 encounters, the Remo Stars had another encounter with the Promise Keepers this season, which ended in a one-goal loss to the Blue Sky Stars.
Akwa United has always been the dominant team in their previous matches.
In their last three games against Remo, they have won two and drawn one.
Remo Stars have only earned two points in their last five away games.
Both teams have only met three times in the league.
Apart from their 2017 encounters, the Remo Stars had another encounter with the Promise Keepers this season, which ended in a one-goal loss to the Blue Sky Stars.
Akwa United has always been the dominant team in their previous matches.
In their last three games against Remo, they have won two and drawn one.
Remo Stars have only earned two points in their last five away games.
