NPFL Week 7 Preview

This weekend, the Nigeria Premier Football League enters week 7 with matches to be played in designated venues across the country.

Kano Pillars are the defending champions.

It’s a weekend of actions and unpredictability as any one of Enyimba, Giwa FC, and Heartland can end the week as league leaders. The battle for the relegation is already taking shape and while it is still too early to tell who will get dropped at the end of the season, it appears that Shooting Stars, Lobi Stars and Warri Wolves have a lot more to fight for this week.

                                                                                 Photo Credit: Futaa

Sharks FC will look to home support to halt a dismal run of only 1 win in six matches this season against Taraba FC. After a brilliant start to the season which included an impressive 1-0 away win at Akwa United, Taraba have endured a loss of form culminating in three straight losses and will have to put up a much better fight to take away any point from Port Harcourt.

Ifeanyi Uba FC will play host to former champions Enyimba and hope their amazing 100% home record can help them overcome the threat of the Aba elephants that have only lost once this campaign.

A tasty duel is in the offing as surprise package Giwa FC looks to add Bayelsa United to the names of the giants they have shot down this season, the most stunning of which was an away victory at Enugu Rangers.

Lobi Stars travel to Port Harcourt seeking a first win of the season at the abode of Dolphins. Dolphins are just as desperate for the win as well to improve their poor league position.

Akwa United make their first trip of the season up north to face the firepower of El Kanemi Warriors where no team has previously earned even a point.

And it will be a battle of familiar foes as Wikki Tourists lock horns with Rangers International in Bauchi. Rangers’ four losses in six games is the worst this season and the Enugu giants will look to set a lot of wrongs right but may find in Wikki a stubborn customer.

Heartland have won more games away from home than at their hallowed Dan Anyiam Stadium where Sunshine Stars, looking for their first away win of the season, will test just how comfortable the Nazi Millionaires are in front of their vociferous fans.

Shooting Stars are still finding the going tough as they have just the solitary win and a paltry 4 points to show for their endeavours so far. Against Warri Wolves, the Oluyole lords will have home pride, three points and Premier League survival to fight for.

Abia Warriors have recently discovered their best form and there is no better time to play Nasarawa United a visit than now for the Warriors who are brimming with confidence after a morale boosting away win was followed last week with a first home win of the season over 3SC. Nasarawa United are not push-overs however and will look to bounce back to winning ways after a narrow loss to Kwara United in Week 6.

At the Kwara State Stadium, Kwara United face an uphill task of defeating the defending champions who are not in the habit of losing two consecutive games in the NPFL. Such form have earned Pillars 3 successive league championships and will be in irrepressible mood to claim all three points and banish the agony of the midweek 1-0 defeat at Heartland in a rescheduled Week 1 encounter.